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Considered by many hobbyists to be one of the essential releases in baseball history, the 1952 Topps Baseball Card Set is the pinnacle of post-war collectibles. Please note the 1953 Topps Baseball cards set was a hell of a set but nothing compared to the legendary 1952 Topps).
It includes “The Holy Grail” of baseball cards, but why is it so special, and which cards should you be looking for? As well as a full checklist and valuation for the set, we’ve listed three of the best 1952 Topps cards and lots of additional info about how and why it became so legendary.
1952 Topps Baseball Cards: A History Lesson
After dipping their toes into the market with a couple of 52-card collectibles in 1951, Topps decided to go all in the year after.
Top Investment: Juan Soto Rookie Cards
They created a massive set with 407 cards in 1952, packaging the product with bubble gum to increase sales and interest. The 1952 Topps set was issued in six different, consecutively numbered releases, with the first being 1-80 and the last numbered between 311 and 407. The latter is known as the “high-number” series, renowned for being exceptionally rare for the time.
Each release saw fewer cards, so the higher the number, the more expensive, or at least that’s true in theory. Topps and Bowman were vying for supremacy in the collectible market, so Topps made their cards stand out by rejigging the size and adding a portrait image of the player on the front, with stats and player info located on the back.
It sounds familiar because almost every modern set has copied the 1952 Topps edition in some shape or form. It paved the way for the modern hobby, and with 407 cards, it contains every big-name player from the era.
1952 Topps Baseball Cards Value
There are no two ways about it; most high-numbered 1952 Topps cards are valuable, especially if they’re still in a decent condition almost 70 years on.
For example, the most expensive by a solid margin is a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle with a 9 grade sold for $2.8m in 2018, while a second 1952 Topps Mantle, graded at 8.5, sold for $1.14m in 2016.
That’s not to say there aren’t affordable options at the low end.
Take Bill Dickey, a 14-time World Series champion with the Yankees.
A PSA 8 grade of his 1952 Topps was sold for $3,120 by Heritage Auctions in March 2020, a world away from the seven figures you’d need to add a good Mantle copy to your collection.
Why are higher grades so expensive?
The printing presses used as the time led to a number of errors and misprints. Even Mantle’s cards sometimes have a darker skin tone due to oversaturation, while others have no black border around the team logo. 145 further variations have been identified, increasing the set’s overall value in recent years.
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In terms of investment strategies, you could build a set with the higher numbers or aim to snag some of the lower-rated (20-80) cards that are reasonably undervalued.
However, the first 15 are challenging to find in good condition, while the first series of cards had the most printing errors overall. The 1952 collection was reprinted by Topps in 1983, although they’re worth a fraction of the price of the originals. Topps also missed out on a few contracts in the 1980s set, so there’s an affordable option compared to the real thing.
1952 Topps Baseball Best Cards
With so many cards to choose from 1952 Topps Baseball Cards set, it can be challenging to identify which are the ‘very best’. The higher the number, the greater the likelihood of rarity, which goes some way to helping to sift through the various options. Error cards and other quirky variations are always attractive, and they’re always popular at auction, but new versions are always preferred.
We’ve listed three of the best 1952 Topps cards below, based on career stats, interest, value, and recent auction data.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card #311
One of the most iconic cards ever produced, almost any copy of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card regularly gets over 100 bids at the auction, making it exceedingly popular.
We’ve already mentioned the high-graded versions that have sold for seven figures, but what makes it so special compared to the others in the set?
Ironically, there were too many unsold by retailers back in ‘52, so they were returned and eventually sunk from a barge in the Hudson River to make room for releases in 1953.
It’s crazy to think that millions of dollars worth of Topps Mantle cards were thrown away, but it led to the scarcity we see in the present day.
The image sees Mantle with his trusty bat clutched in his hands.
Mantle’s Yankees hat and the bright background make it easy to identify, while fewer than 10 have earned a PSA 9 grade.
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312
The next in line after Mantle numerically, second baseman Jackie Robinson’s 1952 Topps is another key option in the sixth sheet.
That makes it rarer than most, despite being one of the three double-printed 1952 Topps high numbers cards along with Mickey Mantle and Bobby Thomson.
It features a deep red background, with Robinson smiling widely with a bat strewn over his shoulder.
It may not be his rookie, but it’s notable for being the first card Topps issued of the man who broke the color barrier in major league baseball. Double-printing hasn’t affected the price of his 1952 Topps.
Instead, it has worked to enhance its reputation thanks to a strong association with Mantle, making it another strong investment piece to look out for.
1952 Topps Willie Mays #261
His RC might have been released a year earlier, but you won’t be disappointed with the first-ever Topps card to feature Willie Mays. Part of the fifth 1952 Topps set (251-310), cards from the “semi-high” series are rarer than those that came before.
The legendary Giants outfielder was coming off an NL Rookie of the Year season in 1951 but missed most of 1952 and 53’ after being drafted by the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He returned in 1954 to win the World Series and was a 24-time All-Star during a storied career. His Topps card comes with a deep purple background as Mays stares down at the camera with a stern expression on his face. It typically suffers from poor centering, which somewhat lowers the average grade.
However, it also helps to boost the value of cards with higher grades, making them more enticing for investors and collectors.
FAQ
How many cards are in the 1952 Topps Set? A total of 100 cards
How much is a 1952 Mickey Mantle card worth? Varies depending on the grade. A PSA 9 recently sold for a mind-blowing 2.5 million dollars. A PSA 8 sold for $428,000, and a PSA 5 recently sold for $52k… in other words, you will need some real cash to buy this legendary rookie card.
What are Topps baseball cards worth money? All of them! Even the worse players are worth a decent amount of cash at high grades (i.e. PSA 10) as collectors are obsessed with completing the set.
Checklist
With 407 cards, the 1952 Topps collection was the largest when it first released. When you consider variations including printing errors, there are 552 cards in total if you’re hoping to complete one of the most difficult sets in the history of the hobby.
The estimated cost is over $200,000, so it’s a near-impossible task for many collectors.
The base cards are numbered as follows:
- Andy Pafko
2 Pete Runnels RC
3 Hank Thompson
4 Don Lenhardt
5 Larry Jansen
6 Grady Hatton
7 Wayne Terwilliger
8 Fred Marsh RC
9 Bobby Hogue RC
10 Al Rosen
11 Phil Rizzuto
12 Monty Basgall RC
13 Johnny Wyrostek
14 Bob Elliott
15 Johnny Pesky
16 Gene Hermanski
17 Jim Hegan
18 Merrill Combs RC
19 Johnny Bucha RC
20 Billy Loes RC
21 Ferris Fain
22 Dom DiMaggio
23 Billy Goodman
24 Luke Easter
25 Johnny Groth
26 Monte Irvin
27 Sam Jethroe
28 Jerry Priddy
29 Ted Kluszewski
30 Mel Parnell
31 Gus Zernial
32 Eddie Robinson
33 Warren Spahn
34 Elmer Valo
35 Hank Sauer
36 Gil Hodges
37 Duke Snider
38 Wally Westlake
39 Dizzy Trout
40 Irv Noren
41 Bob Wellman RC
42 Lou Kretlow RC
43 Ray Scarborough
44 Con Dempsey RC
45 Eddie Joost
46 Gordon Goldsberry RC
47 Willie Jones
48 Joe Page – Error
48 Joe Page – Corrected
49 Johnny Sain – Error
49 Johnny Sain – Corrected
50 Marv Rickert RC
51 Jim Russell
52 Don Mueller
53 Chris Van Cuyk RC
54 Leo Kiely
55 Ray Boone
56 Tommy Glaviano
57 Ed Lopat
58 Bob Mahoney RC
59 Robin Roberts
60 Sid Hudson
61 Tookie Gilbert
62 Chuck Stobbs RC
63 Howie Pollet
64 Roy Sievers
65 Enos Slaughter
66 Preacher Roe
67 Allie Reynolds
68 Cliff Chambers
69 Virgil Stallcup
70 Al Zarilla
71 Tom Upton RC
72 Karl Olson RC
73 Bill Werle
74 Andy Hansen RC
75 Wes Westrum
76 Eddie Stanky
77 Bob Kennedy
78 Ellis Kinder
79 Jerry Staley
80 Herm Wehmeier
81 Vern Law
82 Duane Pillette
83 Billy Johnson
84 Vern Stephens
85 Bob Kuzava
86 Ted Gray
87 Dale Coogan
88 Bob Feller
89 Johnny Lipon
90 Mickey Grasso
91 Red Schoendienst
92 Dale Mitchell
93 Al Sima RC
94 Sam Mele
95 Ken Holcombe
96 Willard Marshall
97 Earl Torgeson
98 Billy Pierce
99 Gene Woodling
100 Del Rice
101 Max Lanier
102 Bill Kennedy
103 Cliff Mapes
104 Don Kolloway
105 Johnny Pramesa
106 Mickey Vernon
107 Connie Ryan
108 Jim Konstanty
109 Ted Wilks
110 Dutch Leonard
111 Peanuts Lowrey
112 Hank Majeski
113 Dick Sisler
114 Willard Ramsdell
115 Red Munger
116 Carl Scheib
117 Sherm Lollar
118 Ken Raffensberger
119 Mickey McDermott
120 Bob Chakales RC
121 Gus Niarhos
122 Jackie Jensen
123 Eddie Yost
124 Monte Kennedy
125 Bill Rigney
126 Fred Hutchinson
127 Paul Minner RC
128 Don Bollweg RC
129 Johnny Mize
130 Sheldon Jones
131 Morrie Martin RC
132 Clyde Kluttz RC
133 Al Widmar
134 Joe Tipton
135 Dixie Howell
136 Johnny Schmitz
137 Roy McMillan RC
138 Bill MacDonald
139 Ken Wood
140 Johnny Antonelli
141 Clint Hartung
142 Harry Perkowski RC
143 Les Moss
144 Ed Blake RC
145 Joe Haynes
146 Frank House RC
147 Bobby Young RC
148 Johnny Klippstein
149 Dick Kryhoski
150 Ted Beard
151 Wally Post RC
152 Al Evans
153 Bob Rush
154 Joe Muir RC
155 Frank Overmire
156 Frank Hiller RC
157 Bob Usher
158 Eddie Waitkus
159 Saul Rogovin RC
160 Owen Friend
161 Bud Byerly RC
162 Del Crandall
163 Stan Rojek
164 Walt Dubiel
165 Eddie Kazak
166 Paul LaPalme RC
167 Bill Howerton
168 Charlie Silvera RC
169 Howie Judson
170 Gus Bell
171 Ed Erautt RC
172 Eddie Miksis
173 Roy Smalley
174 Cuddles Marshall RC
175 Billy Martin RC
176 Hank Edwards
177 Bill Wight
178 Cass Michaels
179 Frank Smith RC
180 Charlie Maxwell RC
181 Bob Swift
182 Billy Hitchcock
183 Erv Dusak
184 Bob Ramazzotti
185 Bill Nicholson
186 Walt Masterson
187 Bob Miller
188 Bud Podbielan RC
189 Pete Reiser
190 Don Johnson RC
191 Yogi Berra
192 Myron Ginsberg RC
193 Harry Simpson RC
194 Joe Hatten
195 Minnie Minoso RC
196 Solly Hemus RC
197 George Strickland RC
198 Phil Haugstad RC
199 George Zuverink RC
200 Ralph Houk RC
201 Alex Kellner
202 Joe Collins RC
203 Curt Simmons
204 Ron Northey
205 Clyde King
206 Joe Ostrowski RC
207 Mickey Harris
208 Marlin Stuart RC
209 Howie Fox
210 Dick Fowler
211 Ray Coleman
212 Ned Garver
213 Nippy Jones
214 Johnny Hopp
215 Hank Bauer
216 Richie Ashburn
217 George Stirnweiss
218 Clyde McCullough
219 Bobby Shantz
220 Joe Presko RC
221 Granny Hamner
222 Hoot Evers
223 Del Ennis
224 Bruce Edwards
225 Frank Baumholtz
226 Dave Philley
227 Joe Garagiola
228 Al Brazle
229 Gene Bearden
230 Matt Batts
231 Sam Zoldak
232 Billy Cox
233 Bob Friend RC
234 Steve Souchock RC
235 Walt Dropo
236 Ed Fitz Gerald
237 Jerry Coleman
238 Art Houtteman
239 Rocky Bridges RC
240 Jack Phillips RC
241 Tommy Byrne
242 Tom Poholsky RC
243 Larry Doby
244 Vic Wertz
245 Sherry Robertson
246 George Kell
247 Randy Gumpert
248 Spec Shea
249 Bobby Adams
250 Carl Erskine
251 Chico Carrasquel
252 Vern Bickford
253 Johnny Berardino
254 Joe Dobson
255 Clyde Vollmer
256 Pete Suder
257 Bobby Avila
258 Steve Gromek
259 Bob Addis RC
260 Pete Castiglione
261 Willie Mays
262 Virgil Trucks
263 Harry Brecheen
264 Roy Hartsfield
265 Chuck Diering
266 Murry Dickson
267 Sid Gordon
268 Bob Lemon
269 Willard Nixon
270 Lou Brissie
271 Jim Delsing
272 Mike Garcia
273 Erv Palica
274 Ralph Branca
275 Pat Mullin
276 Jim Wilson RC
277 Earl Wilson
278 Allie Clark
279 Bud Stewart
280 Cloyd Boyer
281 Tommy Brown SP
282 Birdie Tebbetts SP
283 Phil Masi SP
284 Hank Arft SP
285 Cliff Fannin SP
286 Joe DeMaestri RC SP
287 Steve Bilko SP
288 Chet Nichols RC SP
289 Tommy Holmes
290 Joe Astroth SP
291 Gil Coan SP
292 Floyd Baker SP
293 Sibby Sisti SP
294 Walker Cooper SP
295 Phil Cavarretta
296 Red Rolfe
297 Andy Seminick SP
298 Bob Ross RC SP
299 Ray Murray RC SP
300 Barney McCosky SP
301 Bob Porterfield
302 Max Surkont RC
303 Harry Dorish
304 Sam Dente
305 Paul Richards
306 Lou Sleater RC
307 Frank Campos RC
308 Luis Aloma
309 Jim Busby
310 George Metkovich
311 Mickey Mantle
312 Jackie Robinson
313 Bobby Thomson
314 Roy Campanella
315 Leo Durocher
316 Davey Williams RC
317 Connie Marrero
318 Hal Gregg RC
319 Rube Walker RC
320 John Rutherford RC
321 Joe Black RC
322 Randy Jackson RC
323 Bubba Church
324 Warren Hacker
325 Bill Serena
326 George Shuba RC
327 Archie Wilson RC
328 Bob Borkowski RC
329 Ike Delock RC
330 Turk Lown RC
331 Tom Morgan RC
332 Tony Bartirome RC
333 Pee Wee Reese
334 Wilmer Mizell RC
335 Ted Lepcio RC
336 Dave Koslo
337 Jim Hearn
338 Sal Yvars RC
339 Russ Meyer
340 Bob Hooper
341 Hal Jeffcoat
342 Clem Labine RC
343 Dick Gernert RC
344 Ewell Blackwell
345 Sammy White RC
346 George Spencer RC
347 Joe Adcock
348 Bob Kelly RC
349 Bob Cain
350 Cal Abrams
351 Alvin Dark
352 Karl Drews
353 Bobby Del Greco RC
354 Fred Hatfield RC
355 Bobby Morgan
356 Toby Atwell RC
357 Smoky Burgess
358 John Kucab RC
359 Dee Fondy RC
360 George Crowe RC
361 Bill Posedel
362 Ken Heintzelman
363 Dick Rozek RC
364 Clyde Sukeforth RC
365 Cookie Lavagetto
366 Dave Madison RC
367 Bob Thorpe RC
368 Ed Wright RC
369 Dick Groat RC
370 Billy Hoeft RC
371 Bobby Hofman
372 Gil McDougald RC
373 Jim Turner RC
374 Al Benton RC
375 Jack Merson RC
376 Faye Throneberry RC
377 Chuck Dressen MG
378 Les Fusselman RC
379 Joe Rossi RC
380 Clem Koshorek RC
381 Milton Stock RC
382 Sam Jones RC
383 Del Wilber RC
384 Frankie Crosetti
385 Herman Franks RC
386 Eddie Yuhas RC
387 Billy Meyer MG
388 Bob Chipman
389 Ben Wade RC
390 Rocky Nelson RC
391 Ben Chapman
392 Hoyt Wilhelm RC
393 Ebba St. Claire RC
394 Billy Herman
395 Jake Pitler
396 Dick Williams RC
397 Forrest Main RC
398 Hal Rice
399 Jim Fridley RC
400 Bill Dickey
401 Bob Schultz RC
402 Earl Harrist RC
403 Bill Miller RC
404 Dick Brodowski RC
405 Eddie Pellagrini
406 Joe Nuxhall RC
407 Eddie Mathews RC
Buyers Guide and Investment Outlook
- Investment Rating: Strong Buy (5 out of 5)
- Best 1952 Topps Baseball Card: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Baseball Card #311
- Ownership Disclosure: None
Considering the age of the cards and their innovative nature, it’s easy to see why they’re so expensive in the modern day.
Most people had no idea that the cards would be worth so much in the future, while the gum packaged with the cards was also known to cause damage if it was left together for too long.
After all, they were initially distributed in 1c and nickel packs, with the latter being tougher to find in the present. (A high-grade unopened pack is worth roughly $15,000 today.)
Everything from the style to the era is dripping in nostalgia, making for one of the best baseball sets to be released.
With 407 cards in the set, an ever-increasing rarity, incredible prices, the inclusion of signatures, player stats and info, and beautiful, colorful cards, it’s no wonder that the 1952 Topps set is highly regarded in modern collecting circles.
With the benefit of hindsight, the gamble clearly paid off for Topps, and it’s unlikely that the hobby would be anywhere near as popular without releasing their classic 1952 set.
It’s an expensive endeavor if you plan to collect them all, but you’d expect nothing less, considering it’s one of the essential baseball sets in the history of the sport.