The 1959 Topps baseball card set was the eighth series issued by Topps and it remains a very popular and iconic set among collectors and fans today. The 1959 Topps cards featured many of the game’s biggest stars from that era including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and many more. Some key things to know about the 1959 Topps set include:
The 1959 Topps set contains 518 cards issued in the standard size of 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The cards featured colorful illustrated photos on the front and statistics and biographical information on the back. Topps continued their tradition of including rookie cards of future Hall of Famers in this set such as Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson. Topps also included leaders and award winner cards highlighting the top performers from the 1958 season.
One of the most notable aspects of the 1959 Topps design was the large colorful team logo featured prominently on the left side of each card. This helped distinguish players’ teams at a glance. Background colors also varied to help identify American and National League clubs. The set is considered by many to be one of Topps’ most attractive designs from the 1950s and 1960s.
In terms of player distribution and coverage, the 1959 Topps set contained cards for all 16 major league teams from that season. Notable rookie cards in the set beyond Ryan and Gibson included future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron’s brother Tommie Aaron, Lou Brock, Juan Marichal, Ron Santo, and Billy Williams among others. Stars of the day like Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews and more were also prominent in the set.
When it comes to the most valuable and sought after cards in the 1959 Topps baseball card set, there are a few that stand out. Mickey Mantle’s card is considered the most iconic from the set and is also one of the most expensive vintage baseball cards to acquire in high grade. The Mantle is coveted by collectors and has sold for over $100,000 in mint condition. Other expensive keys cards include the Nolan Ryan rookie, the Hank Aaron, the Willie Mays, and the Bob Gibson rookie. The complete set in excellent centered, near mint condition also commands a high premium.
In terms of production and print run quantities, the 1959 Topps baseball card set had a standard issue for its time. Most estimates put the original print run between 10-15 million units, which was fairly typical for Topps baseball sets of the 1950s. With over half a century of collecting interest and attrition since, high grade specimens of many key cards are quite scarce today. Topps used a single series numbering system from 1-518 for the entire set.
There were no major errors or variations in the 1959 Topps design itself but a few notable printing quirks have emerged over the years. For example, the Warren Spahn card is known in two different photo variations. A small number of cards are reported with missing team logos, mismatched statistics on the back, or other minor anomalies. But overall it was a cleanly produced, iconic set that has become a benchmark for the vintage Topps era.
In the decades since its original release in 1959, this Topps set has become one of the most revered and valuable in the entire hobby. Prices have steadily risen for high grade examples of stars and key rookies. Its simple yet bold design, iconic photography, and historical significance in documenting that period continue to entice collectors both young and old. Whether being chased in complete or partial form, individual cards, or investment holdings – the 1959 Topps baseball card set remains a hugely popular collecting category today and for the foreseeable future.
The 1959 Topps baseball card set was a seminal issue that featured the biggest names in the game during the late 1950s. Its attractive design, high production values, and inclusion of several all-time great rookie cards like Ryan and Gibson have made it both a widely collected vintage set and source of some of the most valuable individual cards within the hobby. Whether seeking affordable commons or elusive high numbers, collectors are always on the hunt to expand their holdings of this beloved Topps release.
