The 1955 set of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cards was issued during an iconic time for the franchise as they entered their final season in Brooklyn before moving to Los Angeles. The set features photos of players and coaches from the 1954 season, and captures the Dodgers talent as they aimed for another World Series appearance.
Top stars featured included Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo, Sandy Koufax, and Don Newcombe, among others. The back of each card provided statistics from 1954 as well as a short bio. Rookies like Sandy Koufax and Johnny Podres were given cards as they began their careers. Manager Walter Alston and the coaches were also included to round out the 16-card lineup.
Topps issued the cards in their typical green-backed design that had become synonymous with their baseball sets since the early 1950s. Each card measured 2 1⁄2 inches by 3 1⁄2 inches and was sold in wax paper packs of 5 cards for around 10 cents per pack. While production numbers are unknown, the 1955 Dodgers set is considered one of the more common issues from the 1950s as Brooklyn still had a large local fanbase before their move west.
Grading of the cards tends to be lower on average compared to other 1950s sets due to the higher print run. Gem mint condition examples still command strong prices today from serious Brooklyn and vintage baseball card collectors. The design features crisp black and white photos with minimal color used, typical of the time period. The front of each card displays the player’s image and their first initial and last name along with their uniform number.
On the back, statistics were pared down to the basics including batting average, home runs, RBIs, and in some cases stolen bases or pitching records. A fun fact or two about each player was also included such as Sandy Koufax’s service in the military or Duke Snider’s record-setting home runs. While simplistic by today’s standards, they effectively captured each player and coach’s role on the team. Condition is often the most important grading factor for 1950s cards rather than centering or production flaws.
The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers set remains a beloved piece of franchise history as it was the last issued before the moving vans arrived in Los Angeles. As such, it ties directly to Brooklyn’s rich baseball tradition and captures the roster of their final season representing the borough. While common in overall numbers compared to vintage sets from other franchises or earlier decades, it still holds plenty of nostalgia and memories for Brooklyn and Dodgers fans worldwide.
After the 1957 move, Topps did not issue Dodgers sets again until 1959 when Los Angeles hosted the All-Star Game. By that point, the Brooklyn identity was fading from cards as the LA branding took over. As a result, the 1955 set helps connect directly to one of the most bittersweet periods in franchise and baseball history. Even common graded examples can still sell in the $5-15 range online today depending on condition and especially if a key star player is featured. Collectors enjoy owning a tangible piece of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball before they relocated.
While 1955 was not one of their most successful seasons on the field with an 80-74 record good for third place, the Dodgers were still stocked with future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars. The likes of Campanella, Snider, Newcombe, and Koufax graced the lineup alongside solid veterans Hodges, Furillo, and others. It marked the last gasp of the dynasty they had built through the 1940s and 1950s before attendance woes doomed the team’s future in Brooklyn.
The card set captures this franchise plateau as they aimed for one more run even with the team’s long-term viability already in question. It carries plenty of nostalgia and history for Brooklyn fans, Dodgers fans of any era, and vintage baseball card collectors seeking a classic issue. While common compared to some others, these green-backed cardboard pieces of the past help connect directly to Brooklyn’s rich baseball roots and the franchise’s “Boys of Summer” era before their westward departure.
The 1955 Topps Brooklyn Dodgers card set stands as an important time capsule from the franchise’s final season representing Brooklyn. While production numbers were high, condition and the fact it chronicles that turning point in club history make it a desirable piece of memorabilia even today. Whether seeking iconic players, franchise milestones, or a connection to baseball’s storied past, this 16-card lineup delivers on nostalgia and historical significance for Dodgers and vintage collecting enthusiasts.
