1956 Topps...who's favorite summer???

[Big Six]

So I wanted to try and put together a horizontal format set and I narrowed it down to a choice between 1955 and 1956...the 1960 set just doesn't impact me the way those two do. From there, I decided I didn't want to deal with expensive rookies (i.e. Koufax, Clemente and, to a lesser extent, Killebrew). While I still have to deal with Mantle, the rest of the '56 set looks really nice and has a great roster of players...so that was the choice. It started with a nice run of raw cards (commons, semi-stars and a couple HOF'ers) compliments of Jarrod (scmavl) and from there I won a sharp lot of 13 commons/semi-stars in the last Sterling Sports Auction. The graded cards are all PSA 5 but look much better and have great centering & corners...at least to me...here's what I picked up...enjoy.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3117/017-gene-conley
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3118/021-joe-collins
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3119/026-grady-hatton
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3120/028-bobby-hoffman
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3121/039-don-mossi
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3122/040-bob-turley

[Big Six]

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3123/055-wally-moon
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3124/077-harvey-haddix
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3125/132-bobby-avila
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3126/153-frank-thomas
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3127/204-art-swanson
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3128/222-dave-philley
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3129/271-foster-castleman

[vintagetoppsguy]

I love the '56 Topps set. I am about hslf way finished with mine. It is raw with the exception of the stars, which will all be graded SGC 60-80. Here are a few of my graded cards.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps010WarrenSpahn.jpghttp://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps015ErnieBanks.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps031HankAaron.jpghttp://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps107EdMathews.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps130WillieMays.jpghttp://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps150DukeSnider.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps180RobinRoberts.jpghttp://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x137/vintagetoppsguy/Post%20War%20Cards/1956Topps292LuisAparicio.jpg

[bradmar48]

The 1956 set is my favorite set from all my collection. If and when I finally sell
my card collection it will be the last to go because I have an emotional connection with the set. It was the first set that I collected as a kid and I spent hours reading the backs until I could remember the stats and cartoon on the back of each card.

The fact that the action photo on the Aaron card is actually Willie Mays is something I didn't know about until about 10 years ago.

[scmavl]

Glad I could help, Matt. It's a great set and has some of the best art, especially the in action part.

[ALR-bishop]

For whatever it's worth ( probably not much), I have the following variations/oddities in this set.

The 3 Cub teams
The 3 Phils teams
The 3 Indians teams
The 3 Reds teams
The 3 Braves teams
The 3 Orioles teams

108 Pepper...regular and with the yellow spill in grass and yellow blotch near ear (3)...written up in SCD

363 Miller...with and without green boxes around stats on back

323 Schmidt..with or without 6 in the loss box on back...written up in SCD.

If anyone knows of others. please let me know

Also, in trying to complete my Topps unopened pack run, I have had to settle for a penny pack for 1956 ( and 1958). This and the 58 pack seem to
me to be the toughest to get by far.

Also have the 1956 Topps Hocus Focus baseball subset of 18 plus a wrapper. Compared to the cards they are so dreadful you wonder why Topps bothered

[brob28]

My favorite set by far. Not many rookies, but the best looking cards Topps ever produced IMHO and a bunch of hall of famers. I'm at 92% complete Ex/Mt or better raw or graded. I'm down to only few biggies, Koufax, Mays & Yankees team. But some of the commons I'm looking for are real hard to find centered. Love the action shots especially on Clemente's and Mantle.

[Gr8Beldini]

The Haddix card was the first 56 card I ever owned. In the late 70's I answered a classified ad in the back of Baseball Digest for George Husby's baseball card pricelist (Sturgeon Bay WI). I wish I still had one of his pricelists - the 56's were .30 cents each. I remember how cool I thought they were based on the 1975 MVP cards, and working on a very miniscule allowance I mailed him a SASE and .30 cents for any 1956 card - just send me a nice one. He sent me a Haddix in a condition that amazed me. All of my 5 year old cards were beat to hell and here I was receiving a 23 year old card in perfect condition. Still one of my all-time favorites for sentimental reasons.

[U240robert]

I love the '56 design and I think it's Topps best overall set.
First year without competition from Bowman, so you pretty much
have all the stars possible (Except Musial)
And it's the last cards of Jackie Robinson and Bob Feller and very early cards of Clemente-Koufax-Killebrew-Aaron-Banks-Mays-Mantle the core of the 60's !
Not common Hall of Famers Giles and Harriage (The presidents)
Nice team cards ! and a load of classic 50's stars
I gotta get back to that someday. I have most of the stars, just need the discipline to finish the rest.

[Big Six]

Just got these in today...I have 17 slabbed (all PSA 5) and 54 more raw...still undecided...do I just do this set raw or slabbed...thoughts?

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3227/080-gus-triandos
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3228/289-hal-jeffcoat
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3229/290-curt-simmons
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3230/314-hobie-landrith

[mintacular]

Absolutely love this set although I don't have the budget to build the whole thing. David's Mays is awewsome btw plz sell it to me! Pretty plz? Matt you've got a good taste of sets and cards. Anyway, I have these two from the set

<a href="http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/?action=view&amp;current=1956ClementePSA6-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/1956ClementePSA6-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/56Mantle-1.jpg

BTW-this post also illustrates the importance of a good scanner, the clemente scans is from my old scanner, the mantle from my new/better one...

[vintagetoppsguy]

Absolutely love this set although I don't have the budget to build the whole thing. David's Mays is awewsome btw plz sell it to me! Pretty plz? Matt you've got a good taste of sets and cards. Anyway, I have these two from the set

BTW-this post also illustrates the importance of a good scanner, the clemente scans is from my old scanner, the mantle from my new/better one...

Pat,

Thanks for the kind words. That Mays was actually an upgrade to the 5.5 I had. Yes, this 5 blew away my old 5.5. I know a lot set registry guys find that difficult to understand because all they think about is numbers, but when you buy the card and not the holder it was an obvious choice for me as the 5 looked way better than my 5.5.

Yes, a good scanner makes all the difference in the world. Great scan and really great card, Pat. That Mantle is absolutely awesome. I think you owe me a new keyboard as that card left me drooling all over mine. :D

As far as building the set, I've picked up most of the commons in the $5 range and you can get the stars in the PSA 5 or SGC 60-70 range pretty reasonably. I say go for it, Pat. Heck, you've already knocked out two of the biggies.

[smtjoy]

One of my all time favorites, very cool cards, I have two, my fav is the Clemente already posted and I also have the pirates team card. One day I hope to own the Mantle.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/smtjoy/Clemente%20Collection/Topps%20Issues/56toppspiratesteam8.jpg

[Big Six]

at about $10 per card, was happy to pick these up for my mid-grade set...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3298/037-alex-grammas
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3299/051-ernie-oravetz
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3300/078-herman-wehmeier
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3301/102-jim-davis
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3302/262-howie-pollet

[T205]

I love the horizontal formatted sets of the mid 50's. About a 4 years ago I completed the 1955 Topps set in PSA 7 or better. Then I moved onto the 1956 Topps set in PSA 7 or better. I have finished the 1st series and I am 20 cards shy of the 2nd series. I already got the Mantle card but I do not have it scanned on this computer as of yet. I will be doing that soon. This set is in my opinion is one of the best in the 50's. I wish you the best of luck in completing it! Here are some cards that I got scanned in please enjoy.


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/Graymouse/1956%20TOPPS/33_CLEMENTE.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/Graymouse/1956%20TOPPS/31_AARON.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/Graymouse/1956%20TOPPS/30_ROBINSON.jpg

[Big Six]

I used to have a 1955 Ted Williams and I loved that card...except that it had some issues I just couldn't live with, not least of which was terrible centering. I ended up selling it earlier this year and have had my eyes open for a suitable replacement...which I found last week!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3424/005-ted-williams

This card is nicely centered and, since I'm working on a 1956 set, kills two birds with one stone...

[Big Six]

five more commons for my set...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3818/019-chuck-diering
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3819/094-ronnie-kline
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3820/105-al-smith
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3821/215-tommy-byrne
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1956-topps/3822/300-vic-wertz

[ALR-bishop]

Nice looking cards Matt

[frankbmd]

I bought these as a kid. Mom threw them out as an adult. I bought them again as an adult 20 years ago.

My set is complete EX-MT overall 20% graded. Solid stars.

Good luck with building your 56ers. It's a great set. Good choice.

Clemente NM Mantle EXMT
Robinson NM+ Williams EXMT

[Volod]

I used to have a 1955 Ted Williams and I loved that card...except that it had some issues I just couldn't live with, not least of which was terrible centering. I ended up selling it earlier this year and have had my eyes open for a suitable replacement...which I found last week!

This card is nicely centered and, since I'm working on a 1956 set, kills two birds with one stone...

I like that card too, Matt - one of the Splinter's best, but he does appear to be looking up at a mile-high popup, instead of long dinger. Topps was based in NY.

[HRBAKER]

Beautiful set! Looks like you are well on your way.
Along the way don't forget to add a wrapper for good measure!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s172/hrbaker/WRAPPERS/56T1Cent-1.jpg

[Griffins]

And a box and a couple of packs!
http://photos.imageevent.com/griffins/companionpieces/unopenedpacks/toppsregularpacks/large/1956ToppsPenny.tif.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/griffins/companionpieces/unopenedpacks/toppsregularpacks/large/56ToppsPack.tif.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/griffins/companionpieces/waxboxes/waxboxes/large/56Nickel.jpg

[ALR-bishop]

I am envious again Anthony. I am still only have the 1 cent pack. That 56 five center is a tough one

[Big Six]

wow! those packs and the box are awesome...thing I'd be happy just to add a wrapper! Nice stuff...

[Dan 33]

WOW that is nice

[Big Six]

Over the past several months, I've managed to pick up quite a few commons as well as a few Hall of Famers. At this point, I'm about 53%+ towards completion of the set.

[the 'stache]

God, those cards are beautiful!

No modern card will ever have the same charm.

[Matthew80]

Bought a few similarly graded '56 cards not too long ago, most of which are PSA 5:

6, 12, 18, 61, 113, 116, 205, 319, 336

Also have

#37 PSA 5.5
#137 PSA 4.5
#187 (Early Wynn) PSA 4

If you're interested in one, some, or all, I'd be happy to sell them for cheap (what I paid, which is about $5-9/card) + total $3.00 ship.

Best of luck in the pursuit of this gem of a set, by the way! I quit to pursue an old Caramel set, a true labor of love :o

[Big Six]

Bought a few similarly graded '56 cards not too long ago, most of which are PSA 5:

6, 12, 18, 61, 113, 116, 205, 319, 336

Also have

#37 PSA 5.5
#137 PSA 4.5
#187 (Early Wynn) PSA 4

If you're interested in one, some, or all, I'd be happy to sell them for cheap (what I paid, which is about $5-9/card) + total $3.00 ship.

Best of luck in the pursuit of this gem of a set, by the way! I quit to pursue an old Caramel set, a true labor of love :o

Lemme see what I need! Thanks...Matt

[avery1328]

I put this set together in 1988-1990 and then sold it to buy my first car in high school then I put it together again from 1998-2007. This will be the last piece of my collection that I will sell. I simply love looking at the front and backs of nearly each and every card. I love the Mathews and Rizzuto the most. Happy Collecting this beauty!

[Doug]

God, those cards are beautiful!

No modern card will ever have the same charm.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Great cards everybody! :eek:

[campyfan39]

My favorite set for sure!