The 1956 Topps baseball card set is considered by many to be the most iconic and desirable vintage set from the 1950s. What also stands out about the 1956 cards is their unique size, which is larger than most other cards produced during that era.
Most standard size baseball cards from the 1950s measured 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The 1956 Topps issues took on larger dimensions of approximately 2.75 inches wide by 3.75 inches high. So compared to cards from brands like Bowman or 1952-1955 Topps, the 1956 set featured cards with roughly an extra quarter inch added to both the width and height.
There has been some speculation over the years as to why Topps decided to make their 1956 cards larger. Some experts believe it may have been a strategic marketing move by Topps to make their new cards stand out on store shelves amongst competing brands that were sticking with the standard size. By enlarging the cards, Topps was grabbing more visual attention from young collectors browsing trading card displays.
Another theory as to the size change is that Topps may have wanted to take advantage of new photographic techniques they were using on the 1956 cards. With nicer larger portrait photos on the fronts compared to earlier issues, going bigger allowed Topps to showcase these photos in a more impactful way instead of having them appear small and cramped on a 2.5 by 3.5 inch canvas.
Regardless of the exact motivation, the larger dimensions of the 1956 Topps cards became very collectible traits over the decades. As the set developed its reputation for visual quality and historical significance due to future Hall of Famers like Mickey Mantle being depicted, the unique larger size only added to its appeal. Card show dealers and auction houses take note of the subtle size difference when grading and pricing 1956 Topps compared to other vintage issues.
In terms of production details, the larger 1956 Topps size did not actually require new printing plates to be made. Topps was still utilizing a multi-color lithograph process similar to prior years, so the card stock was simply fed through existing presses but with a larger blank sheet size. This allowed Topps to crank out the cards very cost efficiently despite the increased dimensions.
Manufacturing the larger cards did have some drawbacks. Storage and distribution of the 1956s presented more challenges with the bigger individual card profiles taking up more space in boxes and racks. There is also debate amongst historians if the slight increase led to some quality control issues, as the larger pieces of cardboard may have been more prone to production flaws or less flexibility during the printing process.
Regardless, the 1956 Topps size created a unique aesthetic legacy that stood the test of time. While they went back to a standard 2.5 by 3.5 inch formula starting in 1957, the larger 1956s remain the most visually identifiable set from the 1950s due to their dimensions. In the collector marketplace today, high grade 1956 World Series highlights and rookie cards still command tremendous sums, and their iconic oversized presence enhances the already immense historical value and significance for hobbyists. Thus, the simple but impactful size change Topps implemented proved to be a marvelous marketing stroke that still captivates card aficionados over 65 years later.
While its exact reasoning remains debated, Topps’ decision to enlarge the physical footprint of its 1956 baseball card release through a subtle yet noticeable increase to both width and height became a truly memorable aspect of the landmark 50s issue. Collectors to this day appreciate and covet the cards’ unique dimensions that help them stand out memorably as one of the golden eras of vintage cardboard. The larger size was a key attribute that drove the 1956 set’s iconic status and enduring popularity unmatched by other cards of the period.
