Baseball Card Price Guide 1957
The late 1950s were an iconic time for baseball cards. Players like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays were entering their primes and captivating fans across the country. Baseball card manufacturers like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer were cranking out sets at a rapid pace to keep up with demand. In 1957 specifically, Topps released their standard red bordered design that has become one of the most recognizable in the hobby. This price guide will break down the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1957 Topps set as well as other issues from that year.
The crown jewel of any 1957 collection is without a doubt the Mickey Mantle card. Widely considered one of the most iconic baseball cards ever printed, the Mantle continues to be the standard that all other vintage cards are compared to. In gem mint condition, the Mantle routinely sells for well over $100,000. Even well-centered, sharp examples in lower grades still command impressive five-figure prices. The card’s combination of featuring baseball’s biggest star at the time along with the iconic red glare photography has cemented its place in history.
Another highly valuable 1957 Topps card is #306, Hank Aaron. Aaron was really coming into his own in the late 1950s and his rookie card prices reflect that. High grade Aaron rookies can bring $15,000-$20,000. Like Mantle, the Aaron is always in high demand. The #5 Willie Mays is another seven-figure card in pristine condition. Top graded examples have sold for well over $200,000. Even in lower grades, a decent Mays will still sell for $5,000-$10,000 depending on centering and condition issues.
In addition to the superstar rookies, there are a few other key 1957 Topps cards that command big money. The #130 Mickey Mantle is one of the scarcest short prints from the set. High grade examples can bring $30,000-$50,000 due to the card’s rarity. Another short print standout is the #241 Bob Friend. Like the Mantle SP, pristine Friend cards are $30,000-$50,000 cards. The #107 Ted Williams is also regarded as one of the key rare variants from ’57 Topps. Known as the “bat on shoulder” photo error card, gem Williams have sold for $15,000+.
Condition is king when it comes to vintage cards. For the highest value 1957 Topps cards, you’ll need to have a true gem mint example. A PSA/BGS/SGC 9 or MT/GEM 10 card can easily fetch 10X or more than a lower graded counterpart. For example, a PSA 8 Mantle may sell for $15,000 while a PSA/BGS 9 could be $100,000+. Always have valuable cards professionally graded by the major third party grading companies to ensure proper preservation and authentication. Raw cards carry much more risk.
While 1957 Topps gets most of the attention, there were a few other notable issues released that year as well. The 1957 Topps Magic photo subset included 22 cards featuring players with unique in-action photography. High grades of the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards can reach $3,000-$5,000 each. The 1957 Topps Hobby issue was only distributed through hobby shops. The set featured green borders and several photo variations. Key cards include Mantle, Mays, and the #107 Ted Williams mentioned earlier. Gem examples can reach $1,000-$2,000 each.
Bowman also had a presence in 1957 with their final pre-Topps era design. The highlight is without question the #1 rookie card of future Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. High grade McCovey rookies consistently sell in the $15,000 range. Other stars like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente also have desirable rookie cards in the $500-$1,000 range depending on condition. 1957 was Fleer’s first year producing modern size baseball cards. While the set featured no star rookies, condition census examples of stars like Mantle and Mays can reach $500-$1,000 each.
The 1957 baseball card market is a fun and lucrative one for collectors. Headlined by the iconic Mantle, Mays and Aaron rookie cards, the 1957 Topps set also features many other valuable short prints and key variants. Proper preservation in third party slabs is crucial for high end collectors. With the recent boom in vintage sports cards, the best 1957 cards will continue appreciate in the years to come for savvy investors. This price guide should help collectors get started learning about one of the true classic years in the hobby.
