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1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS LIST

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set was the fifth series of cards produced by Topps and is considered one of the most iconic vintage issues in the hobby. The set featured 675 individual cards and highlighted all the major league players from that season. Some key details and highlights about the 1956 Topps set include:

The design of the 1956 Topps cards featured a glossy photograph of each player in the foreground with their team name and position listed below in bold text. Fun fact – the cards were produced using a thinner, more flexible cardboard stock compared to previous years. This made the cards more susceptible to damage from bending or creasing over time.

The roster in the ’56 set was quite star-studded, with future Hall of Famers like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial among those featured. Perhaps the most notable rookie cards found were future MVPs like Don Drysdale and Frank Robinson. Other interesting rookie debuts included Jackie Jensen, Jim Bunning, and Bob Shaw.

The 1956 Topps set had a brief run of just 275 different players compared to previous years. This was due to some teams not supplying full rosters of 25 players each to Topps. For example, the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals only had 21 players included from their clubs.

Topps started including manager cards for the first time in 1956. A total of 16 big league skippers received their own cards in the set like Casey Stengel, Alvin Dark, and Birdie Tebbetts. Fun fact – Arnold “Jinx” Johnson of the Cincinnati Reds was included despite passing away earlier that same year.

The design of the player cards included a dotted line alongside the team name that created the illusion of a shadow effect behind the text. It was a very clean, simple look that gave the cards a classic, vintage appeal that still holds up today. Unfortunately, the team logos were not included – just the full team name text.

Rookie cards in the 1956 Topps set of Drysdale, Mays, and Frank Robinson are considered some of the most valuable in the entire vintage era. High grade specimens of these players in their fledgling seasons today can fetch well into the five-figure price range depending on condition.

Topps produced the cards using a distinctive graycolored cardboard stock that has come to symbolize the entire 1950s era of ball cards. While much thinner than modern issues, the stock held up fairly well over the subsequent decades before condition grading became prevalent.

The size of the 1956 Topps cards was 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, which remained the standard dimensions through the 1960s before cards grew slightly larger. The backs featured a brief ballplayer bio and stats from the previous season in a simple text layout without photos.

Condition is extremely important when evaluating the value of any vintage card from the 1950s produced by Topps. Highgrades of stars like Aaron, Mays and Drysdale in their 1956 Topps rookie cards today can be worth over $10,000 in Near Mint to Mint condition. Meanwhile, heavily played examples may only fetch a couple hundred dollars.

Topps released the 1956 set without any notable advertising or fanfare despite being popular among collectors at the time. Production numbers were large enough that unopened wax packs from that year can still be found today in collectors’ stashes and attics. As such, the set maintains a very affordable entry point for those starting a vintage baseball collection.

The 1956 Topps baseball card set stands out among vintage issues for its excellent roster of soon-to-be Hall of Famers, iconic rookie cards, classic design elements and affordability even in top grades. Often overlooked compared to flagship years like ’52, ’57 and ’59 Topps – the ’56 set holds a special place in the history of the hobby and remains a must for any avid baseball card collector.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS GALLERY

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set was the fifth series of baseball card issues produced by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. Following their hugely successful rookie year in 1951, Topps continued to grow their baseball card offerings by adding more players and teams with each subsequent release. The 1956 set would be their biggest yet with photos of 616 total players spanning all 18 Major League teams of the era.

Some key things to know about the 1956 Topps baseball card set:

Size and Production: Like the prior few years of Topps issues, the 1956 cards were standard size trading cards measuring approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. They were produced via the same photo offset lithograph process that enabled Topps to mass produce cards affordably and at high volumes. It’s estimated over 60 million+ 1956 Topps cards were printed, making them relatively common in the hobby even today.

Design Elements: The cards featured mostly simple solid color backgrounds with a uniform design layout. Each card displayed the player’s photo on the front along with their name, team, position, and player ID number. The backs contained more personal stats and career info along with the Topps product logo and copyright information. Gum was still included with each pack.

Player Photos: Topps photographers traveled around spring training camps and exhibition games to capture photos of every player they could. As such, the photo quality and poses vary greatly across the set. Some show action shots while others are more posed portrait styles. A few stars like Mickey Mantle had multiple cards as Topps sought more popular players.

Rosters: For the first time, Topps was able to photograph and include cards for almost every single player on a Major League roster in 1956. Only a handful of minor role players or late season callups were omitted. This gave collectors a virtually complete snapshot of the players of that season.

Rookie Stars: Some of the game’s all-time greats like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson made their Topps rookie card debuts in this set as they broke into the Majors that year. While common for their time, these rookies are now among the most valuable cards in the set to collectors.

Topps Errors: As with any mass produced product, a small number of errors crept into the 1956 set. There are approximately a dozen or so cards featuring incorrect photos, player stats, or even wrong names. These errata cards have become highly sought after by specialized collectors.

Team Distribution: Not surprisingly, the iconic Bronx Bombers of the New York Yankees dominated the set with over 75 cards of their star-studded roster. The St. Louis Cardinals were also well-represented with over 50 players featured. The original Washington Senators, who would soon relocate, only had about 25 cards due to their dismal last place finish.

In the following decades, the 1956 Topps baseball card set would become one of the most iconic in the hobby. Its massive rookie class alone assured the set of maintaining relevance among collectors and serving as a valuable historic snapshot of 1950’s baseball. Factors like the vast number printed and adequate photo quality also helped the 1956’s retain accessibility and affordability compared to some other classic issues.

While far from the most expensive set to collect in mint condition today, finding high grade examples of the valuable rookie cards within1956 Topps still demands handsome premiums. Getting a fully completed master set with all 616 cards also remains an achievement prized by Topps collectors. Over 65 years later, the allure, affordability, and nostalgia associated with this Topps set still ensures its 1956 cards remain a fundamental cornerstone for the baseball card collecting community.

The 1956 Topps baseball card release was truly monumental in scope for its time and showed Topps’ growing dominance in the field. By photographing and distributing cards of virtually every Major League player that season, it amounted to an unparalleled snapshot of 1950’s baseball that still fascinates and educates today. Loaded with now legendary rookie stars and accessible despite high initial print runs, the 1956 Topps set enduringly sits amongst the most recognizable in the entire hobby.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in the history of the hobby. It was the first year Topps produced modern sized baseball cards and included photos on the front for every player rather than just the stars. This revolutionized the collecting industry and kicked off the golden age of baseball cards that lasted into the 1980s. Today, 1956 Topps cards remain highly sought after by collectors and frequently command big prices when top examples come up for sale.

The 1956 set contains a total of 520 cards. The designs on the front featured a large color photo centered on a white background with the player’s name and team name printed underneath. The backs contained basic stats and career highlights. Topps used a variety of photo sources to illustrate the cards that year which led to some notable variations in photo styles between issues. The cardboard stock was also not always entirely consistent from pack to pack.

Condition is especially important when assessing the value of 1956 Topps cards. Not only were they mass produced and widely distributed 65+ years ago, but the thinner cardboard stock has also not held up quite as well over time compared to later issues with thicker stock. Still, there are numerous high grade examples that have survived in excellent shape protected by collectors over the decades. The marketplace values these condition sensitive vintage issues the most.

Some of the standout stars that are particularly sought after from the 1956 Topps set when found in top condition include Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente among many others. The poster boy of the 1956 Topps design is undoubtedly Mantle’s iconic cardboard cut out of him swinging. High grade PSA/BGS examples of these star rookie and early career cards regularly reach into the thousands of dollars at auction.

Interestingly, the 1956 Topps rookie card of Frank Robinson is also one of the more elusive and valuable cards from the set, even though Robinson would not actually break into the majors until 1956. Topps produced the card a year early in error making it the only true “rookie” for Robinson. In high grade it can rival or surpass Mantle’s value. Other key rookie cards from 1956 include Bob Turley, Bill Virdon, and Vada Pinson.

Less heralded players also have found surprising values as well in top condition. Short print cards seem to attract strong collector demand. For example, rare variations of the Tom Gorman and Jim Pisoni cards have hit the $1000+ range individually when sharp. Meanwhile, finding any 1956 Topps card with a true gem mint PSA 10 or BGS 9.5/10 grade is an accomplishment, and they are prized by those chasing ultimate condition.

Bulk 1956 Topps commons and stars can regularly be found relatively cheaply in lower grades on the secondary market. Good/Very Good 4-6 range copies still provide a nice vintage cardboard option for casual collectors on a budget. When examples start creasing into Fine/Very Fine 7-8 range, values spike up considerably depending on the name on the front. Condition is everything for this fragile and historic set.

Topps produced no other flagship baseball card issues in 1956 so demand remains high 65 years later. As the collecting population ages and values continue an upwards trajectory overall, condition sensitive vintage classics like 1956 Topps will stay much sought after financial investments. With original packaging and certified gem mint copies almost impossible to come by, this beloved pioneer set ensures to keep card hunters searching through wax packs and showcases for many years to come. Collectors looking to add a piece of cardboard history to their collections would be wise to regularly check the auction markets for sale prices on 1956 Topps offerings across all condition levels.

The 1956 Topps baseball card set was truly revolutionary and started it all for the modern sports card industry. Even after 65+ years have passed, it retains a cherished spot in the hearts of collectors both casual and avid. Condition is paramount, and finding high grade examples for sale requires dedication and market timing. But for those who hit a jackpot copy of a star rookie or variation, the 1956 Topps product can still provide the thrill of an incredible vintage card find so many decades later. The hunt will surely continue as long as collectors seek to rediscover the magic of those early cardboard compositions.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS THAT NEVER WERE

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While the 1956 Topps baseball card set is considered by collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable in the hobby’s history, featuring the likes of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Ted Williams, what many fans may not realize is that there were a number of potential cards from that vintage that ended up never seeing the light of day. Due to various factors like player contracts, lack of sufficient photograph rights and production issues, several intriguing subjects that could have been memorialized in cardboard instead remain lost to the annals of history. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable 1956 Topps cards that, for one reason or another, never made the cut.

Perhaps the highest profile omission from the ’56 set was Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson, who had retired from baseball just two seasons prior after breaking MLB’s color barrier in 1947. While Topps held the rights to Robinson’s likeness from his playing days and he had been featured in their sets annually up until his retirement, for unknown reasons he was left out in 1956. Some speculate Topps may have wanted to avoid any controversy or backlash by including a recently retired black player during a time period when racial tensions still ran high in America. Robinson’s exclusion stands as one of the biggest what-ifs from that classic issue.

Another Dodger great that collectors never got in cardboard was pitcher Don Newcombe, who like Robinson had been a Topps standard bearer until his sudden retirement after the 1956 season at the young age of 32. Newk went 129-66 with a 3.56 ERA during his eight year career, winning the Cy Young and MVP awards in 1956 when he led Brooklyn to the pennant. But for reasons lost to history, Topps did not procure his rights in time to include him, missing out on commemorating one of the best pitchers of the 50s.

Speaking of recently retired hurlers, Cleveland Indians ace Bob Feller also hangs as one of the biggest missed opportunities of the ’56 set. Arguably the hardest thrower of his era, “Rapid Robert” amassed 266 wins and struck out a then-record 2,581 batters over 18 seasons, mostly with the Tribe, before hanging it up after the 1956 campaign at age 38. Feller ranked among the most popular players of the post-war era but remains woefully under-represented in vintage cardboard due to bad timing with his retirement.

Staying in Cleveland, the Indians’ triple crown winning first baseman Larry Doby also found himself excluded despite putting together the AL’s best season in history up to that point in 1954. Doby, the second black player to break the MLB color barrier just months after Robinson in 1947, hit .279 with 32 HR and 114 RBI in ’54 but was not featured by Topps two years later at age 32, nearing the tail end of his solid 11 year career. Inexplicably, Doby remains one of the most notable omissions from the entire set.

Switching coasts to the Giants, NYC fans were also denied the pleasure of finding Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays’ teammate and clean-up hitter in that great ’54 campaign, Dusty Rhodes. As the fourth place Giants morphed into the “Unexpected Champions”, Rhodes made a name for himself with 27 home runs and 93 RBI, a career year at age 34. He too seems to have slipped through Topps’ cracks, getting lost in the shuffle despite ranking among the NL’s elite sluggers that season.

In contrast to some of the bigger name veterans that evaded Topps’ clutches, the ’56 set is also missing a golden opportunity to commemorate some rising young stars on the cusp of greatness, future Hall of Famers who were entering their primes. White Sox third baseman Ted Kluszewski missed out after consecutive 40+ home run seasons in ’54 and ’55 established him as one of the game’s most feared power threats. Similarly, Baltimore third base phenom Brooks Robinson earned his first All-Star nod in 1956 at age 20 but collectors found no cardboard recognition for the future 18 time Gold Glover and future Hall of Famer.

While Topps’ 1956 issue stands as one of the most revered in the hobby due its sheer star power and design aesthetics, it remains an incomplete time capsule as several true legends from that era were left out for one reason or another. From recently retired greats like Robinson, Newcombe and Feller to rising young talents like Rhodes, Doby, Kluszewski and Brooks, their absence leaves baseball card aficionados to ponder the “what ifs” of cards that sadly never came to fruition. Such is the nature of a vintage issue missing some historical context due to circumstances outside of Topps’ control.

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1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PSA PRICE GUIDE

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and collectible issues in the vintage baseball card realm. Featuring designs, photos and players from the 1955 MLB season, the ’56 Topps set revolutionized the baseball card industry and remains a sought after collection for enthusiasts and investors alike. With hundreds of cards grading high and selling for record prices recently, the 1956 Topps PSA price guide provides invaluable insights into the current values and demand for these vintage cardboard treasures.

Packaged in bubble gum wax wrappers and sold for a penny a pack at stores nationwide, the original 1956 Topps baseball card set totaled just 504 different cards when issued over 65 years ago. Some notable rookie cards first appearing included Future Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Billy Williams and Don Drysdale. Despite being mass produced for casual collectors at the time, the quality and importance of these early Topps issues were not fully realized for decades. As the hobby exploded in popularity starting in the 1980s, the ’56s ascended to the upper echelon of collectible sports cards.

When considering values, the all-time most lucrative 1956 Topps cards are unsurprisingly the true “holy grails” – rookie cards of legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax. According to the latest PSA Population Report, not a single mint example currently exists of any of these rookie cards in the highly coveted PSA Gem Mint 10 grade. In any PSA 9 grade, Mantle and Mays rookies have recently sold at public auction for astronomical six-figure sums. But for most collectors and investors, high grade common cards provide a more realistic investment target when using the PSA price guide as a barometer.

One such example is the Rod Carew rookie card #96, which has seen over 300 grade at PSA 8 over the years. Recent Ebay sales of exemplary PSA 8 copies have ranged from $2,000 to $3,000 each. Drop down a single point to PSA 7 condition and values are still impressive, with multiples between $1,000 to $1,500 the going rate. Even lowly PSA 6 copies in sorry shape have proven to be worthwhile holds, commanding $400 to $600 from avid collectors. This demonstrates how a well-known and often high graded ’56 Topps rookie can retain value across a wide spectrum of quality levels.

Moving beyond rookies, superstar cards of the era that commonly grade well also demand premium prices. A PSA 8 Hank Aaron #70 would pull in $800-$1,200. A PSA 8 Willie Mays #62 is valued between $1,200-$1,500. Common all-stars like a PSA 8 Ted Kluszewski #262 or Roy Campanella #243 can be had for $300-$500. Even less heralded players achieve respectable values in top-of-the-line condition. A PSA 8 Gil Hodges #153 sells between $200-$300. Conversely, many common stars in lower grades are still worthwhile with the right eye Appeal attributes – a PSA 6 Kluszewski still fetches $150.

For investors, low-numbered and especially rookie cards of all-time greats provide the most stable long term stores of wealth. High grading common cards are still liquid assets as ongoing pop report fluctuations create buying and selling opportunities. There exists a thriving market for conditioned ranked vintage across the PSA scale among both casual collectors and flippers. Consultation of the up-to-date 1956 Topps PSA price guide gives any enthusiast or investor the market-relevant knowledge to make informed collecting and financial decisions regarding one of the most iconic sets in the modern card collecting phenomenon. Grading increases transparency and standardizes condition, resulting in a reliable pricing framework reflective of the true demand, scarcity and nostalgia woven into these timeless treats from the penny packs of yesteryear.

In summation, the 1956 Topps set broke new ground by being the first widely distributed modern issue over 60 years ago. While true gems remain out of reach price-wise, nearly the entire set can be acquired affordably in grades providing a window into the past. Common player cards in the $100s to low $1,000s bracket represent an accessible avenue for vintage enthusiasts. Higher grades of rookie legends in the $1,000s to $10,000s are liquid investments. Ultimately, the PSA pricing insights allow collectors at any level to join in the fun of owning authentic pieces of baseball card history hailing from the golden era defined by the classic 1956 Topps design.

VALUE OF 1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1956 Topps Baseball Card set has long held legendary status among card collectors and remains one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. With its minimalist yet classic design aesthetic and historic rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, the 1956 Topps set continues to captivate collectors decades after its initial release. While the set was considered rather common for many years, values have steadily risen in recent decades as the hobby has boomed in popularity. Deep-pocketed collectors now eagerly pursue rare stars and key short prints from the acclaimed ’56 Topps set.

Issued during the peak of the post-World War II baseball card boom, the 1956 Topps set was the third overall release from the industry pioneer. It contained a standard 336 cards printed on thin, moisture-proof cardboard stock. Design elements were scaled back substantially compared to prior years. Most notably, team logos were removed from the fronts in favor of a simple white border surrounding each portrait photo. Text was minimal, limited to the player’s name and position at the bottom. The photos, sourced from the AP and UPI wire services, varied in quality but captured each star in candid action shots. The simplicity lent an understated yet timeless aesthetic that has aged remarkably well.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of the 1956 Topps baseball card set is the inclusion of future Hall of Famers like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente in their respective rookie seasons. Mays’ spectacular catch in the 1954 World Series granted him immediate stardom and his ’56 Topps card, featuring an action shot of the Say Hey Kid chasing down a fly ball, is one of the most iconic in the hobby’s history. Aaron and Clemente also burst onto the scene in ’56 and their rookie cards are similarly high-value keys today. Elsewhere, veteran superstars like Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, and Stan Musial appear prominently.

Distribution of the 1956 set varied widely according to region. Cards were available via packs sold in stores or sent directly to a child’s home address through the mail via Topps’ innovative direct marketing strategy. This lead to certain players from smaller markets having significantly lower print runs. Notable short prints from the set that command massive premiums include Paul Richards, Zoilo Versalles, Smoky Burgess, and Bill Virdon. Topps also utilized photo variations and printing errors that collectors seek out today such as altered team logos, missing signatures, or changes in uniform numbers between the front and back. This scarcity added intrigue and mystique to the ’56 issue from the very beginning.

In the hobby’s early Golden Age during the 1950s and 60s, the 1956 Topps set was widely available in good to excellent conditioned and sold for pocket change. It took decades for appreciation and scarcity to develop as the original collectors aged and the next generations took over. Starting in the late 1980s and accelerating through the sports card speculator boom of the early 1990s, values skyrocketed. Graded gem mint examples of the key rookies like Mays, Aaron, and Clemente started fetching five figures at auction. Lesser stars and commons also rose substantially from the 25 cent prices that once dominated the marketplace.

This appreciation trend continued steadily through the 2000s internet era as new generations of collectors fueled demand and online auctions increased visibility and competition. Today, a Mays or Clemente rookie in PSA/BGS 10 mint condition would sell for $150,000-200,000 each. Top graded examples of the iconic set have even crossed the $300,000 threshold. Supporting stars in high grades sell in the $1,000-5,000 range. All commons and common stars have found price floors in the $10-100 range depending on condition, with only the true keys retaining true scarcity and value exponentially greater. There is also strong demand for lower graded examples to fill Registry sets or simply for PC affordable collecting.

For the investors who wisely purchased complete 1956 Topps sets in the $1,000-3,000 range in the 1990s, their holdings have appreciated over 10-100x in the ensuing decades. Condition is paramount, and CGC and SGC grades have provided new avenues for vintage collectors beyond the PSA/BGS ceiling. Rarities such as the Paul Richards short print can earn six figures even in lower Financial grades. Valuable variations, mistakes, and uncut sheets also inhabit the highest end of the 1956 market. The set has undoubtedly cemented itself alongside the ’52 Topps and ’69 Topps issues as one of the Holy Grails for committed collectors from any era. For connoisseurs of the vintage baseball card field, the allure of the 1956 Topps set’s stars, stories, and mystique is eternal.

The 1956 Topps Baseball Card set holds immense nostalgic appeal and collector value that has grown exponentially since its original release over 65 years ago. As one of the pioneering original modern issues and featuring rookie Hall of Fame talents like Mays, Aaron and Clemente, it defined the post-war boom decade in cards and maintains legendary status. Prices reflect the set’s iconic cachet and scarcity has drastically risen over the decades as the origins dwindle. Condition is paramount for both astute investors and casual collectors still seeking affordable choices from this revered vintage release. The 1956 Topps set remains a cornerstone that all dedicated students of card history strive to incorporate to some degree, whether as common fillers or multimillion-dollar crown jewels.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set was issued during a transitional time in the collecting world. While baseball cards had been popular with children for decades, it was just becoming a mainstream hobby for adults as well. As a result, the 1956 Topps set contains many valuable and interesting cards that appeal to collectors today.

One of the most notable rookies from the 1956 set is Willie Mays of the New York Giants. As one of the greatest players of all time, there is high demand for any early Mays cards. In top graded condition of Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) 7 or higher, the Willie Mays rookie card can be worth $250,000 or more. Even well-centered examples in good condition around Excellent (EX) 5 could still fetch $30,000-$50,000. Finding any Mays card from his early years in NY in solid condition is already an accomplishment on its own.

Another important rookie from 1956 is Hank Aaron, who was just breaking into the major leagues with the Milwaukee Braves. In top condition around NM-MT 7 or better, Aaron’s rookie card has reached over $100,000 at auction. In grades like EX-MT 6 it would sell in the $15,000 to $25,000 range. Much like Mays, finding any Aaron card preserved well from his early career makes it quite valuable for Braves and baseball history collectors.

Perhaps the most hyped card from 1956 Topps today is the Mickey Mantle. As one of the most iconic players of all time who is also synonymous with the New York Yankees, Mantle cards in any vintage set are always in high demand. An NM-MT 7 Mantle could conceivably sell for over $200,000 today. Even well-centered EX-MT 6 copies would likely reach $50,000-$75,000 at auction. Just like the Mays and Aaron rookies, receiving any Mint grade on a Mickey Mantle is an outstanding achievement for a 66-year-old card.

In addition to star rookies, there are several established players from the mid-1950s that have valuable 1956 Topps cards as well. For example, a NM-MT 7 Ted Williams could be worth $35,000-$50,000. The “Teddy Ballgame” is one of the greatest hitters who ever lived and remained a star with the Boston Red Sox during this period.

Another perennial AL MVP candidate was Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto. While not quite the household name that the previously mentioned stars were, “Scooter” was a fan favorite and top-five MVP finisher several times in the late 1940s and 1950s. As such, his 1956 Topps card can reach $7,000-$10,000 in top condition. Finding high grade examples of players with notable careers enhances the set’s overall appeal.

Rookie cards aren’t the only draws from the 1956 issue either. The entire set contains several valuable short prints that are much harder to find than standard base cards. For example, the Mickey Mantle short print (#77) is among the most sought-after SPs from any vintage Topps set. Graded NM-MT 7, it could command $35,000-$50,000 on today’s market. Even in EX condition around 5-6, an example might still sell for $15,000-$25,000.

Another top short print is Eddie Mathews (#98) of the Braves. A NM-MT 7 graded copy could reach $10,000. In lower EX grades around 5, it would still hold value of $3,000-$5,000 due to the card’s scarcity. Other desirable short prints include Warren Spahn (#153), Roy Campanella (#156), Whitey Ford (#158), and Jackie Robinson (#207). High grade copies of these rare variants in the condition census generally sell for thousands.

Beyond star rookies and short prints, there is also collectible interest in 1956 Topps for the complete set. A full run in pristine NM-MT 7 condition could conceivably sell at auction for $50,000 or more today. More realistically, a nicely centered full set in grades of EX-MT 5.5-6 range might reach $20,000-$30,000. For collectors chasing vintage gems, putting together a complete 1956 Topps run in top condition represents a valuable and historic baseball set.

The 1956 Topps baseball card issue serves as a transitional “bridge” set that introduced several all-time great player’s rookie cards. Headliners like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle understandably receive top dollar when found well-preserved. There is value throughout for short prints, perennial stars, complete sets and more. With demand always high for vintage cardboard prior to the 1960s, the 1956 Topps set remains an attraction for collectors and historians alike. Finding examples in high grades only enhances the significance and earnings potential of this important vintage issue.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set was the fifth series of baseball cards produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. Some key facts and highlights about the 1956 Topps baseball card checklist and set:

The 1956 Topps set contains 202 total cards and featured players from both the American and National Leagues. This was an increase of 50 cards from the previous year’s set, which only had 152 total cards.

The design of the 1956 Topps cards saw some changes from prior years. The card stock was thinner and more brittle. The team logo/cap was displayed more prominently on the right side of each card. Player photos also took up more of the front of the card compared to earlier Topps designs that had more blank space.

Roster changes prior to the 1956 season led to some notable rookie cards and players missing from the previous year’s checklist. Future Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Al Kaline, and Ron Santo each had their rookie cards in this set. However, 1955 NL MVP Willie Mays and 1954 AL MVP Yogi Berra were not included as they had changed teams in the offseason.

The 1956 Topps set is perhaps best known for including the rookie card of future all-time hits leader Pete Rose, who made his MLB debut in 1963 with the Cincinnati Reds. Rose’s 1956 card shows him as a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization but before his major league debut. This rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable in the entire hobby.

Other particularly notable and valuable rookie cards from the 1956 Topps checklist include Hank Aaron, Juan Marichal, Don Drysdale, Rusty Staub, Bill White, Nellie Fox, Luis Aparicio, and Early Wynn. Many consider Aaron and Marichal to have the most historically significant rookie cards in the set besides Pete Rose.

The 1956 Topps set included all 16 major league teams from that season. This marked the first Topps baseball card issue to feature complete rosters of both leagues. Some of the standout players who graced the 1956 Topps checklist included Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, and Roy Campanella.

Among the stars who had really impressive and iconic individual cards in the 1956 Topps set were Willie Mays’ card #12, Sandy Koufax’s card #69 showing his infamous leg kick windup, and Mickey Mantle’s card #7 portraying his legendary home run swing. Topps was getting better each year at artistically designing cards to highlight players’ skills.

The 1956 Topps set had terrific photographic quality overall compared to some earlier card issues from Bowman, Leaf, and even Topps’ own initial offerings. The improved picture quality really helped the cards stand out visually on store shelves and to young collectors just starting their hobby journeys.

In terms of rarity and valuation today, the 1956 Topps Pete Rose rookie remains the most valuable card in the entire set by a wide margin. Mint condition Rose rookies have reached well into the six-figure price range at auction in recent years. Other rare and pricey cards include the Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Roberto Clemente rookies.

The 1956 Topps set had a distinctive color scheme compared to prior years. With a red backs design and white borders on the front, these characteristics help identify 1956 Topps cards apart from 1955 Topps and other similar vintage issues when reviewing collections. The color scheme is considered sharp and eye-catching even by today’s collecting standards.

The 1956 Topps checklist represented a leap forward for the company and further solidified their leadership role as the premier baseball card producer. The expanded roster, improved photo quality, and iconic rookie cards like Rose and Aaron garnered new attention for the hobby from collectors. It established 1956 Topps as one of the most historically important sets in the entire collecting realm.

The 1956 Topps baseball card checklist featured a wealth of all-time great players, enhanced production values, and some of the most significant rookie cards ever issued. Containing young stars like Aaron, Rose, and Koufax, it gave collectors a first glimpse at future legends just starting their careers. With its memorable designs, photos and robust player selection across both leagues, the 1956 Topps set remains a highly coveted and widely recognized release that propelled the hobby to new heights. Its expanded checklist, star power and legendary rookies secured its place as one of the true classic issues in sports card history.

1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PSA

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic vintage baseball card releases of all time. The set celebrated Topps’ 10th anniversary of producing baseball cards and featured photos of all 16 major league teams from the 1955 season. With its colorful design and the inclusion of many all-time great players, the 1956 Topps set is highly coveted by collectors today.

When the 1956 Topps cards were released in the spring of 1956, the biggest stars of the day like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams graced the cardboard. As the players had just finished their 1955 campaigns, the photos captured them in their respective team uniforms from that season. The design consisted of a white border surrounding each player portrait with their team logo in the top-left corner. Below the photo was the player’s name, team, position, and batting stats from 1955 printed in blue. On the reverse, signatures were omitted for the first time since 1951 in favor of career statistics.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1956 Topps set were the Gum Back variations found amongst select cards. All cards were originally packed one per pack with stick of bubblegum. On some packs the gum was accidentally left out. These “gumless” variations tend to grade higher and carry premiums when encapsulated by PSA or other third-party authentication companies. Some of the more valuable and sought-after variants with gum intact or removed include Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and the few error cards featuring mismatches between the photo and printed player information.

In terms of condition, the 1956 Topps run was among the hardest wearing of classic Topps issues. The thin cardboard stock had a propensity to wipe or grade down quickly over the years from friction or abrasive surfaces. Out of the original 662 cards produced, finding high quality examples in pristine My9/MT10 condition has been challenging for collectors and has contributed to their strong appreciation in value. Despite this, many affordable mid-grade population cards still circulate regularly in the market that maintain the classic Topps aesthetic and historical significance.

By far one of the most significant aspects driving collector and investor interest in the 1956 Topps set is the third-party grading provided by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Since their inception in 1991, PSA has objectively authenticated and assigned numerical condition grades to vintage and modern sports cards under rigid criteria. This added layer of certification and standardization gives buyers confidence in the grade, eye appeal, and authentic nature of coveted high dollar vintage items. Getting iconic HOFers like Mantle, Mays, and Williams encapsulated and slabbed by PSA immediately enhances desirability.

PSA Population Reports provide valuable insight into the scarcity and surviving population percentages across the different condition grade tiers. For example, as of February 2023 there are only 6 PSA Gem Mint MT10 1956 Topps Hank Aaron cards known amongst collectors out of the thousands believed produced originally. Having one of these true quintessential MT10 examples represents owning arguably the single finest known copy in the world. For other lesser stars, even mid-grade PSA 8s and 9s have strong followings as condition is often more available than top pop MT10’s.

Hold times at PSA can vary depending on turnaround service selected and card volume at the time of submission. Economy bulk submissions may take 6-9 months to be graded, while rush options can be completed in 3 weeks. Fees are based on declared value per card. Once the grading process is complete, the slab protects the assessment and takes the card to “the next level” for advanced collecting and investing. Resale values usually enjoy a notable premium for PSA or other respected third-party slabs compared to raw or uncertified copies.

The 1956 Topps baseball card set and the encapsulation services provided by PSA have been crucial in preserving the legacy and market demand for these vintage cardboard icons of the National Pastime over 65+ years since production. While the low populations of high grade census figures will always make true MT10 and MT9 elite examples extremely scarce, there is still nostalgia and fun to be had collecting mid-tier PSA 8s and affordable raw versions that bring you closer to that snapshot in time from the 1955 MLB season. The unparalleled blending of classic design, legendary players, and graded authentication make 1956 Topps a true cornerstone for vintage card aficionados.

BEST 1956 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1956 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the entire hobby. Issued the year after Topps obtained the exclusive baseball card license, the ’56 set showcased many of the game’s biggest stars and future Hall of Famers. With its classic design aesthetic and memorable rookie cards, the 1956 Topps set remains a highly collectible and historically significant release decades after it first hit the stands.

At only 121 cards in the base set, the 1956 Topps issue was relatively small compared to later expansions. It packed a powerful punch by featuring young talents like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente in their rookie cards. Topps also landed iconic photos of established legends like Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and more. The simple yet stylish design saw each player’s image centered on a white background with team logo at top and statistics printed below.

Perhaps the most famous and valuable card from the ’56 Topps set is the rookie of Willie Mays. Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays was already establishing himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars with the New York/San Francisco Giants. His rookie card, featuring a headshot of the outfielder in a batting stance, is considered the crown jewel of the set and one of the most historically significant cards ever produced. In top mint condition, a PSA-graded Mays rookie has sold for over $500,000 at auction.

Another highly coveted rookie card from 1956 Topps is that of future home run king Hank Aaron with the Milwaukee Braves. Like Mays, Aaron was just starting to showcase his tremendous talent and would go on to have one of the greatest careers in baseball history. In high grade, a PSA 10 Hank Aaron rookie has sold for over $200,000. His iconic image of swinging a bat made for an immediately recognizable and memorable rookie introduction.

Perhaps the set’s third most valuable rookie is that of Pirates legend Roberto Clemente. Already a rising star in 1956, Clemente would go on to win 12 Gold Gloves and help lead Pittsburgh to two World Series championships before his tragic death in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972. In pristine condition, a PSA 10 Clemente rookie has sold for over $100,000 due to his Hall of Fame career and lasting legacy for the Pirates franchise.

In addition to those highly valuable rookie cards, the 1956 Topps set also featured several other future Hall of Famers like Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and more. Williams’ card shows him in the unique pose of batting left-handed, while Mantle’s captures “The Mick” in the middle of his powerful left-handed swing. Musial’s card stands out for depicting the all-time great hitter in his characteristic bent-leg batting stance. High-grade examples of any of these legends can fetch tens of thousands on the collector market.

Beyond the rookie cards and established stars, the 1956 Topps set also included several other notable inclusions that added to the set’s historical significance. Future 300-game winner Don Drysdale received his first card, as did Dodgers teammates Sandy Koufax and Don Newcombe. The Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” era was previewed with rookie cards of Frank Robinson and Vada Pinson. Even future managers Dick Williams and Earl Weaver received their player cards prior to moving into the dugout.

When grading and valuation are considered, centering is often cited as the most important attribute for 1956 Topps cards. With images tightly cropped to the borders, off-center strikes can drastically reduce a card’s eye appeal and collector value. Surface issues like creases, corners bumps or edge wear also greatly impact condition. In the ultra-competitive modern market, only examples with sharp corners and clean surfaces in centered strikes have a chance at PSA Gem Mint 10 status – and the premium prices that designation commands.

The 1956 Topps baseball card set established itself as a true landmark release that has only grown in stature over the decades. Featuring rookie cards of future legends like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente, along with photos of the era’s biggest stars, it captured a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. With its simple white-bordered design and memorable images, the 1956 Topps set remains one of the most iconic in the entire hobby. In top grades, its most highly valued cards can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more to dedicated collectors.