The 1955 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors and enthusiasts to be one of the most iconic and important sets in the history of the hobby. In addition to marking Topps’ first complete set since 1950 and their emergence as the dominant baseball card producer, the 1955 issue introduced the modern design aesthetic that would define Topps cards for decades. While appreciated for its historic significance and classic visuals, the ’55 Topps set also holds allure for the hunting and discovery of errors – rarities created due to mistakes in the production process. Several elusive error variations have enthralled and motivated collectors for over half a century.
One of the most significant errors from 1955 involves Brooklyn Dodgers star Don Drysdale, who was incorrectly issued card #334 instead of his proper #103. Topps started their photo and stat selection process months before the season began, so early information listed Drysdale with an incorrectly high uniform number. It’s believed only a handful of the #334 error Drysdale cards still exist today in circulated condition, with PSA-graded mint examples garnering prices well into the tens of thousands. Another Dodger, Duke Snider, also received the wrong card number treatment – a scarce #268 error instead of his #62.
An iconic error finds Boston Red Sox ace reliever Dick Radatz appearing twice on different cards. The first is his correct #445 listing, while a second shows as an error #159. It’s believed somewhere around 100 of these dual Radatz cards were accidentally printed, adding another quirky scarce variant to an already groundbreaking set. Hall of Famer Robin Roberts of the Philadelphia Phillies narrowly avoided having dual listings, as his initial (and scarce) error portrait shows as #159 before being fixed to the appropriate #403.
Perhaps the most notorious error from 1955 comes in the form of Cleveland Indians pitcher Bobby Avila erroneously receiving stats and an illustration intended for former player Bobby Mattick. Only a small number of these prestigious “Bobby Avila/Bobby Mattick” mix ups are known to exist. Locating one in high grade is the Holy Grail for many vintage card collectors. Another Indians mix up substitutes Rocky Colavito for his teammate Bob Lemon on card #74, while a third has Minnie Minoso illustrated but listing stats for fellow Chicago White Sox hitter Jim Rivera on card #465.
In addition to player substitutions, the 1955 set housed other production mistakes like incorrect team logos appearing on cards. Prominent examples show the Milwaukee Braves logo on pitcher Vern Bickford’s Brooklyn Dodgers card #189 or New York Giants emblems appearing on other team’s cards. A rare reverse-image printing of pitcher Bill Virdon’s St. Louis Cardinals card #213 remains one of the most visually stunning errors. Topps’ first attempt at English footballer Stanley Matthews’ rookie card #397 was marred early on by incorrect stats.
While immense and sometimes valuable, not all 1955 errors occurred on the common players. Rare miscuts and oddities featuring stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax and more can demand five-figure valuations or more. Assembling a comprehensive ’55 error collection represents a lifetime endeavor with incredible rarities still awaiting discovery almost 70 years later. The mix ups and faults from this innovative issue have thrilled and intrigued collectors for generations, representing the earliest preserved examples of the hobby’s endless capacity for surprise.
The 1955 Topps baseball card set left an indelible mark on the sport card industry and collector community. While the standard base cards hold great significance, it’s the scarce errors and variations that continue fueling extensive research and the thrill of the hunt decades after the set’s original production. Mistakes were clearly made during Topps’ ambitious first undertaking in years, but those faults imbued the ’55s with qualities of surprise, scarcity and enthusiastically pursued challenges that few other issues can match. The saga of this classic set’s production mishaps adds rich layers of intrigue and discovery that amplify its status as one of the true cornerstones of the vintage era.
