1957 was a monumental year for one of baseball’s greatest hitters, Ted Williams. After spending two years serving in the Korean War as a Marine pilot, the legendary “Teddy Ballgame” returned to Major League Baseball looking to recapture the batting prowess that had made him one of the game’s most feared hitters prior to his military service.

Williams did not disappoint in his comeback season of 1957. Though he was already nearing 40 years old, “Teddy Ballgame” put together one of the finest seasons of his Hall of Fame career, batting .388 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI for the Boston Red Sox. Williams’ stellar 1957 campaign made him a hugely popular figure in the baseball card collecting hobby that year. As a result, his 1957 baseball cards have become some of the most coveted and valuable in the entire hobby.

There were several different Ted Williams baseball cards produced during the 1957 season by the major card companies at the time. Here is a detailed price guide for Williams’ key 1957 issue cards:

1957 Topps Ted Williams (#30) – In near mint condition, Williams’ 1957 Topps card in a PSA/BGS/SGC gem mint 10 grade commands prices upwards of $15,000. High-grade copies in PSA 9 or BGS/SGC 9.5 condition still fetch $5,000-$8,000. More moderately graded copies in the PSA 8 or BGS/SGC 8.5 range can be acquired for $2,000-$4,000. Lower graded copies in the PSA 7 or BGS 7.5 range sell in the $500-$1,000 range. Heavily played copies still demand $200-$500 depending on condition. The 1957 Topps set is one of the most iconic in the hobby and Williams’ card is one of the most desirable singles from that classic issue.

1957 Topps Ted Williams All-Star (#41) – As one of the stars named to the 1957 American League All-Star team, Williams also had an All-Star card issued in the 1957 Topps set. High-grade examples of this card in PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ condition command $6,000-$10,000. Copies grading PSA 9 or BGS/SGC 9 realize $3,000-$5,000. Heavily played copies still demand $500-$1,000 depending on condition.

1957 Topps Ted Williams Traded (#T87) – Topps issued “traded” cards for players who had been dealt to another team in the previous season. In Williams’ case, he was traded from the Red Sox to the Baltimore Orioles in February 1957, though he refused to report and the deal was voided. As a result, his “traded” card is considered an error. PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ examples of this ultra-rare error card sell for $15,000-$25,000. Even heavily played copies still demand $3,000-$5,000 due to their extreme scarcity.

1957 Topps Ted Williams World Series (#WS4) – As a member of the 1956 American League champion Red Sox, Williams was featured on the 1957 Topps World Series card set. High-grade PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ copies command $8,000-$12,000. PSA 9 or BGS/SGC 9 versions sell for $4,000-$6,000. Heavily played copies still sell for $1,000-$2,000.

1957 Topps Ted Williams Record Breakers (#RB1) – Issued as part of Topps’ “Record Breakers” subset highlighting career milestones, Williams’ card commemorated his then-record 502nd career home run hit on September 23, 1956. PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ versions demand $10,000-$15,000. PSA 9 or BGS/SGC 9 copies sell for $5,000-$8,000. Heavily played copies still sell for $1,500-$3,000.

1957 Topps Ted Williams (#30, #41, #T87, #WS4, #RB1) – Sets of all 5 of Williams’ 1957 Topps regular issue and subset cards together command huge premiums. High-grade PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ sets sell for $50,000-$75,000. Even lower graded but complete PSA 9 or BGS/SGC 9 sets still sell for $25,000-$35,000.

1957 Topps Ted Williams Mini (#30) – Topps also issued mini-sized versions of their 1957 regular issue cards. High-grade PSA 10 or SGC 9.5+ copies of Williams’ mini card sell for $3,000-$5,000. PSA 9 or SGC 9 versions realize $1,500-$2,500. Heavily played copies still command $500-$1,000.

1957 Cello-Pack Ted Williams (#30) – Topps also produced their 1957 cards packaged in cellophane wrappers. Pristine unopened cello packs containing Williams’ regular card are true prizes. Unopened examples in PSA 10 or BGS 9.5+ condition can sell for $15,000-$25,000. Even heavily taped or resealed packs still demand $3,000-$5,000.

In summary, Ted Williams’ 1957 baseball cards, especially from the iconic Topps set, are among the most valuable vintage issues in the entire hobby. As one of the game’s true icons and a living legend, Williams’ post-war comeback season only added to his popularity and the demand for his 1957 cards. Over 60 years later, high-grade examples remain prized possessions for serious collectors and continue to sell for impressive prices, cementing Williams’ 1957 issues as true blue-chip investments within the hobby.