Tag Archives: 1955

1955 RED MAN BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1955 Red Man baseball card set was quite unique for its time. Issued as promotional items by Pinkerton Tobacco Company to promote their Red Man chewing tobacco brand, the 1955 Red Man set marked the first time that a brand of chewing tobacco sponsored a complete baseball card set. Unlike today where licensed MLB brands dominate the baseball card market, in the 1950s it was still very common for non-sports brands to issue baseball cards as promotional items.

The 1955 Red Man set is most notable for being one of the earliest regular issues to feature all current major league players, a major step forward from rarer early 20th century tobacco sets that mostly featured only star players. The 1955 Red Man set included cards for every single player on each American and National League roster at the start of the 1955 season, a total of 720 cards. For collectors and historians, this makes the 1955 Red Man set an incredibly comprehensive snapshot of the players who comprised the major league rosters of that season.

Pinkerton’s Red Man brand had a long association with baseball, sponsoring major league spring training tours featuring exhibition games in smaller cities and towns across America for decades. These “Red Man Tours” helped promote both the chewing tobacco and expose fans in less populated areas to major league baseball. Naturally, issuing a set of baseball cards with the current seasons players was an ideal promotional tie-in to this longstanding Red Man/Baseball connection.

Like most tobacco era baseball cards issued between the 1890s-1970s, the 1955 Red Man cards featured a combination of advertisements for the sponsoring brand along with baseball imagery and stats on the reverse. The fronts of the cards trumpeted Red Man’s slogan of “Bite off a chaw – Have a chew!” along with imagery of its iconic Indian chief mascot. Turning the cards over revealed black and white photos of each player in action, along with their career stats and team information.

Though not high quality artwork like modern cards, the 1955 Red Man set provided an invaluable early statistical record of that season’s players printed directly on the card – long before online databases existed. Things like batting averages, home runs, RBI were all prominently included on the back of every 1955 Red Man card, truly making them a unique sports/historical record from that time period. This made them very popular with young collectors both as a baseball collecting item and for the addictive chewing tobacco samples included with the cards.

It’s important to note that the target marketing of chewing tobacco products directly to minors through baseball card promotions would today be seen as unethical at best. Tobacco advertising aimed at children has been strictly regulated since the late 20th century due to health concerns. Nevertheless, the 1955 Red Man cards provide a unique snapshot of how commercially linked tobacco products were to America’s pastime in the mid-20th century before these regulations came into effect.

The 1955 Red Man set is also notable for its design variations between the American and National League cards. For example, the AL cards have a light blue border while the NL cards use red. The team logo/cap designs depicted on the fronts also matched the actual logo/cap designs used by each major league team in 1955. Attention to authentic mid-1950s baseball branding details like this help make the 1955 Red Man’s a favorite with collectors focusing on specific seasons.

There were also differences between how AL and NL player names were presented on the backs. In the AL, surnames were used alone while full names including first and middle initials were used in the NL. The variations between leagues add to the set’s charm for completists. Overall print runs for the 1955 Red Man card issue are estimated to have been quite high, in the multi-million range, reflecting Pinkerton’s goal of saturating the baseball card insert market at gas stations, stores, etc with the chewing tobacco sample packs.

Despite the massive initial print run, high-grade specimens of the 1955 Red Man set in pristine “mint” condition are still considered quite rare and valuable today among dedicated tobacco-era card collectors. This is partly due to the cards small 2 1/8″ by 3 1/4″ size which made them very susceptible to damage even in collectors books over the decades. Their scarcity has driven mint condition 1955 Red Man cards of even common players to achieve auction prices of hundreds of dollars each. Key stars rookies from that ’55 season can command thousands in top grades.

For historians, researchers, and serious baseball card collectors, the 1955 Red Man issue provides an unmatched snapshot of every single major leaguer on the rosters during a specific season through its comprehensive set. Their remarkable level of player coverage, attention to authentic mid-1950’s baseball branding details, and statistical data preserved directly on each card makes this one of the most desirable and important tobacco sets to own for those focusing on that era in the sport’s history. After all, they were truly baseball’s first “complete” players card set and a key milestone in the road to today’s licensed MLB branded releases.

MOST VALUABLE 1955 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1955 topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic sets in the history of the hobby. Packaged as ‘bowman’ cards before Topps acquired the rights that year, the 1955 set symbolized the post-World War II boom in baseball’s popularity and the dawn of the modern baseball card era. While the core rookies and stars of that time such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron can be found in high demand, a handful of 1955 cards stand out as truly rare and extraordinary examples that have shattered sports collectibles records.

Perhaps the single most valuable baseball card ever printed is the 1955 Topps Mickey Mantle. Often referred to as the ‘Holy Grail’ of the hobby, it is estimated that only 50-100 PSA/BGS graded gem mint examples exist today in a production run that topped out at over 600,000 packs. In pristine condition this Mantle is routinely valued north of $5 million, with one graded PSA NM-MT 8 fetching an eye popping $5.2 million at auction in 2021. What makes it so scarce is that Mantle’s explosive popularity from his early career success led to the card being one of the most pulled, played with and preserved from the 1955 set in its early days. Surviving high grade copies have become increasingly rare over the decades as the card was so widely distributed but not properly stored or maintained by most collectors at the time.

Another immensely valuable 1955 card is the Willie Mays. Like Mantle, Mays’ early superstardom resulted in the 1955 Topps card being one of the most Popular in the set so pristine copies today are exceedingly rare. In January 2022, a PSA Gem Mint 9 example sold for $3.93 million, setting a new record for any post-war baseball card. Less than 10 PSA/BGS graded 9’s are believed to exist, making each one practically unique. With Mays having just won NL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and MVP in 1954 heading into 1955, the allure and demand for his rookie card released that year has never let up.

The 1955 Topps Hank Aaron rookie is highly coveted not just for chronicling the start of the career of one of baseball’s true home run kings, but also due to its scarcity. Aaron purchased cases of his own cards and sold them to fans, significantly reducing the surviving population today. BGS/PSA Gem Mint 9 copies rarely trade hands but have reached north of $1 million at auction. Similarly scarce is the parallel Bowman issued rookie of Aaron from the same year, which can eclipse $500,000 for top grades. These rareties come from Aaron himself distributing many of his cards to Milwaukee fans in the 1950s before the birth of the modern collecting hobby.

Further 1955 key rookies that break records include the Frank Robinson and Sandy Koufax cards. The Robinson was the pivotal rookie that signaled Topps’ transition away from the previous ‘Bowman’ branded design. Population reports list fewer than 10 PSA/BGS 9 examples known in existence. In 2021, one of these pristine Frank Robinson rookies achieved $1.08 million at auction. Meanwhile Koufax’s quiet breakout rookie year of 1955 was overshadowed by teammates like Robinson and Snider on the 1955 Dodgers. But Koufax would come into his own as the future Hall of Famer he is remembered as. High quality copies of this overlooked rookie have climbed to $500,000 in recent years as Koufax mania grew.

Moving outside of rookies, the 1955 Topps #181 Nellie Fox Parallel stands out for its unique back variation. Instead of the standard white borders, a small batch was printed with dark blue in its place. This striking difference makes these blue back versions highly valuable at $300,000+ for top grades. Another minor variation, the #130 Harvey Haddix card with an offset black line above the text, has also reached $100,000 when pristine. Lastly, the #253 Billy Martin short print is prized not just for its scarcity but for immortalizing the fiery Yankees second baseman before he became a legendary manager. Fewer than 5 graded mint examples are known to exist, with prices exceeding $150,000 in the past year.

In closing, while several 1955 Topps commons can be acquired quite reasonably for collectors on most budgets, the true superstar and short print rarities capture the apex of the vintage baseball card market. Original Mick Mantle, Mays and Aaron rookies that have survived intense decades of handling as prized possessions currently represent not only incredible historical artifacts of their playing careers but also living pieces of pop culture memorabilia. With the 1955 set symbolizing the post-war ascendance of baseball’s golden age, its most coveted cards may never be surpassed in mystique or worth. Future generations of sports collectors will undoubtedly look to these as the iconic cards that started it all.

1955 BROOKLYN DODGERS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1955 set of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cards was issued during an iconic time for the franchise as they entered their final season in Brooklyn before moving to Los Angeles. The set features photos of players and coaches from the 1954 season, and captures the Dodgers talent as they aimed for another World Series appearance.

Top stars featured included Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo, Sandy Koufax, and Don Newcombe, among others. The back of each card provided statistics from 1954 as well as a short bio. Rookies like Sandy Koufax and Johnny Podres were given cards as they began their careers. Manager Walter Alston and the coaches were also included to round out the 16-card lineup.

Topps issued the cards in their typical green-backed design that had become synonymous with their baseball sets since the early 1950s. Each card measured 2 1⁄2 inches by 3 1⁄2 inches and was sold in wax paper packs of 5 cards for around 10 cents per pack. While production numbers are unknown, the 1955 Dodgers set is considered one of the more common issues from the 1950s as Brooklyn still had a large local fanbase before their move west.

Grading of the cards tends to be lower on average compared to other 1950s sets due to the higher print run. Gem mint condition examples still command strong prices today from serious Brooklyn and vintage baseball card collectors. The design features crisp black and white photos with minimal color used, typical of the time period. The front of each card displays the player’s image and their first initial and last name along with their uniform number.

On the back, statistics were pared down to the basics including batting average, home runs, RBIs, and in some cases stolen bases or pitching records. A fun fact or two about each player was also included such as Sandy Koufax’s service in the military or Duke Snider’s record-setting home runs. While simplistic by today’s standards, they effectively captured each player and coach’s role on the team. Condition is often the most important grading factor for 1950s cards rather than centering or production flaws.

The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers set remains a beloved piece of franchise history as it was the last issued before the moving vans arrived in Los Angeles. As such, it ties directly to Brooklyn’s rich baseball tradition and captures the roster of their final season representing the borough. While common in overall numbers compared to vintage sets from other franchises or earlier decades, it still holds plenty of nostalgia and memories for Brooklyn and Dodgers fans worldwide.

After the 1957 move, Topps did not issue Dodgers sets again until 1959 when Los Angeles hosted the All-Star Game. By that point, the Brooklyn identity was fading from cards as the LA branding took over. As a result, the 1955 set helps connect directly to one of the most bittersweet periods in franchise and baseball history. Even common graded examples can still sell in the $5-15 range online today depending on condition and especially if a key star player is featured. Collectors enjoy owning a tangible piece of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball before they relocated.

While 1955 was not one of their most successful seasons on the field with an 80-74 record good for third place, the Dodgers were still stocked with future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars. The likes of Campanella, Snider, Newcombe, and Koufax graced the lineup alongside solid veterans Hodges, Furillo, and others. It marked the last gasp of the dynasty they had built through the 1940s and 1950s before attendance woes doomed the team’s future in Brooklyn.

The card set captures this franchise plateau as they aimed for one more run even with the team’s long-term viability already in question. It carries plenty of nostalgia and history for Brooklyn fans, Dodgers fans of any era, and vintage baseball card collectors seeking a classic issue. While common compared to some others, these green-backed cardboard pieces of the past help connect directly to Brooklyn’s rich baseball roots and the franchise’s “Boys of Summer” era before their westward departure.

The 1955 Topps Brooklyn Dodgers card set stands as an important time capsule from the franchise’s final season representing Brooklyn. While production numbers were high, condition and the fact it chronicles that turning point in club history make it a desirable piece of memorabilia even today. Whether seeking iconic players, franchise milestones, or a connection to baseball’s storied past, this 16-card lineup delivers on nostalgia and historical significance for Dodgers and vintage collecting enthusiasts.

1955 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

Leave a reply

The 1955 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of the sport. Issued by Topps in 1955 as the company’s third baseball card series since entering the baseball card market in 1951, the 1955 Topps set is notable for several reasons that have made the cards highly collectible and desirable for both new collectors and experienced card collectors alike over the past 65+ years.

The 1955 Topps set features a total of 383 players across 387 total cards. This includes the base card set of 372 players as well as 15 team cards highlighting notable rosters from the 1954 MLB season. Some of the key details that have elevated the 1955 Topps set to legendary status in the world of baseball card collecting include:

Mickey Mantle’s sensational rookie season: Future Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle had a breakout rookie campaign for the New York Yankees in 1951. But his finest season to that point came in 1954 when he won the AL Triple Crown by batting .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBI. Mantle’s dominant performance and rising star status was captured perfectly on his impressive 1955 Topps rookie card.

Rise of more colorful photography: Earlier Topps sets from the 1950s featured mostly straightforward black and white or sepia-toned photos of players in action or team poses. But the 1955 set began incorporating brighter, more aesthetically pleasing full color photography that showed individual players up close with vivid stadium backgrounds and uniforms that popped off the card stock.

Iconic Koufax rookie card: Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Sandy Koufax had his rookie season in 1955 after being signed the previous year by Brooklyn. His stylish 1955 Topps rookie card, featuring him in a windup for a pitch, is among the most iconic and valuable in the entire set due to Koufax’s eventual Hall of Fame career.

Fewer errors compared to 1954 set: The 1954 Topps release had a number of errors in team affiliations, player names, and photos that have made many cards from that set far more scarce in top grades. In contrast, quality control improved for 1955 resulting in far fewer errors across the set’s run.

Global popularity fueling demand: As television and mass media continued expanding the viewership of Major League Baseball internationally through the 1950s, the popularity of collecting players on cards also grew globally. Icons like Mantle, Koufax, and more featured on 1955 Topps cards attracted millions of new fans and collectors worldwide.

Early design elements still used today: Topps has continued releasing new baseball cards since the original 1951 set. And elements initially established with 1955 Topps cards like team logo patches, under-photo player names, and clean card stock design are still echoed on modern Topps baseball cards over 65 years later.

Rookie cards of future stars: In addition to Mantle and Koufax, the 1955 Topps set also feature rookie cards for such future legends as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson, and Al Kaline who all made their MLB debuts in the 1-3 years prior. Having their first player cards at such an early stage makes them incredibly coveted by collectors.

Naturally, with all the aforementioned factors combined, 1955 Topps baseball cards in top certified grades have become hugely expensive and sought after in today’s thriving collector’s market. The cards that regularly command the highest prices at auction include:

Mickey Mantle #311: Mantle’s impressive rookie card photograph is unmatched in the set and always generates massive bids. High graded PSA/BGS 10 versions have reached prices above $2 million at auction making it the most valuable single baseball card in existence. Even heavily played PSA 1 copies still sell for five figures.

Sandy Koufax #140: As the first card issued of the left-handed Dodgers great still in his early playing days, it’s an iconic rookie and one of the set’s most valuable non-Mantle cards. Near-mint to mint PSA/BGS 8-10 copies sell in the high five or low six figure range.

Willie Mays #90: Another spectacular action photo capturing the Say Hey Kid’s incredible athleticism. High graded copies have reached over $150,000 at auction.

Hank Aaron #85: Aaron’s smooth lefty swing captured on his rookie card is always a big draw. Graded PSA/BGS 9s have reached $80,000+.

Al Kaline #368: Future Hall of Famer’s dazzling debut is another ultra-rare 1955 rookie. Near-mint PSA 8 sales over $50,000 are common.

High graded full or near-complete 1955 Topps baseball card sets in PSA/BGS 8 or above condition typically sell for over $100,000 at major card auction houses. Even very well-kept common players in PSA 7s still carry values of $100-500 depending on the player due to the iconic status of the entire 1955 Topps release.

With over 65 years of collecting legacy and appreciation behind it, the 1955 Topps baseball card set remains among the most desirable of all time. For serious collectors and investors, examples still attainable in higher certified grades can provide an unparalleled trophy piece for any collection.