The 1959 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. Issued the year Mickey Mantle hit his career high of 35 home runs, the 1959 Topps set featured 598 total cards and is highly sought after by collectors today. Let’s take a deeper look at the history and key details surrounding these classic cards.
The 1959 Topps set marked Topps’ seventh year as the sole baseball card producer after acquiring the rights from Bowman in 1956. The cards featured colorful painted portraits of players and basic stats on the back, similar to designs of the late 1950s. One noticeable change was the reduction in card size – from 2.5×3.5 inches in 1958 to 2×3 inches. This smaller “pocket size” would remain standard for Topps through the 1980s.
In terms of player content, the 1959 Topps set covered all 16 major league teams from that season. Notable rookies included future Hall of Famers Nellie Fox and Eddie Mathews. Star players like Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and more were featured prominently. The final few cards in the numbered series featured “Traded” players who had been dealt to new teams after the start of the 1959 season.
The condition of 1959 Topps cards seen on the secondary market today varies widely. Due to the sheer numbers printed over 60 years ago, well-preserved high-grade examples can be tough to find. There are also plenty of played, worn copies available for collectors on a budget. The most coveted cards tend to be the rookies, superstars and any unique error variants.
Speaking of errors, the 1959 Topps set contained several notable printing mistakes. Card #402 featuring pitcher Billy O’Dell was missing the team designation on the back, making it extremely rare. Other errors like swapped photos or missing signatures also pop up. These anomalies are highly sought by advanced collectors.
In terms of monetary value, 1959 Topps cards vary tremendously based on condition, player and specific card variations. Here are some key price points seen for different levels of the set in recent eBay sales:
Common cards in poor/played condition – $1-5 each
Common Near Mint/Mint condition – $5-15 each
Star rookie cards (Fox, Mathews) – $50-150+ depending on grade
Mantle, Mays, Aaron Mint – $100-300+
#402 O’Dell error card – $1,000-5,000+ depending on condition
High-grade rookies, stars – $500-5,000+ for true gem copies
As one of the most iconic vintage sets, the desirability and value of 1959 Topps cards is unlikely to diminish any time soon. While not quite reaching the stratospheric prices of the 1952 Topps set, a complete 1959 collection in high grades would still command a substantial six-figure price tag. For collectors on a budget, affordable common cards can still be found to build a representative sample of this classic issue. Whether investing or enjoying the nostalgia, 1959 Topps cards remain a cornerstone of the baseball card hobby.
The 1959 Topps baseball card set was a transitional design that marked several changes but retained the visual style and player quality synonymous with 1950s issues. Featuring iconic stars, valuable errors and sought-after rookie cards, it remains one of the most historically significant releases in the hobby. Over 60 years later, these classic cards continue to enthrall collectors with their colorful portraits, connections to baseball’s golden era, and wide range of values depending on condition and specific card. The 1959 Topps set solidified Topps’ dominance and cemented its place as one of the true vintage classics.
