53 Topps, like to hear set info,and show your favorites

[J.McMurry]

Hey guys,

Would just like to know any info on the 1953 Topps baseball set, and also show your favorites that you may have. Thanks.

On a scale from 1-10, how difficult is this set?

[Rich Klein]

And; there are many tricks to this set.

IIRC; the old Baseball Cards magazine had a really good article on this set back in the early days of that magazine

Rich

[J.McMurry]

Oh Rich you're killin me!

What's the "trick"s?
Anyway to get a copy of the article you speak of?

[mintacular]

Like the '71 set, my experience with the '53s is that they are very difficult to obtain without chipping on the edges so if you are condition-senstive keep this fact in mind.

[J.McMurry]

Thanks Pat,
I have been picking up a few mid grade cards, and have noticed that rough-cut edges are very common place. I'm gonna take my time and pick up what I can, mostly in the 5/6 range, SGC only. (although I have a couple of raw ones too) I know I wont complete the set, but I really enjoy the cards.

Speaking of SGC '53's- Is it my imagination or are SGC graded 53's going for more money, on average, than PSA 53's? any possible reason?

[ChiefBenderForever]

I think the set is great, I have always liked it. I have a Willie Mays PSA4 on the way that I won last week to go with these three. I picked up the Paige over 10 years ago, the Robinson 5 years ago, and the Mantle last month from Doug C on this site ! The Mays is one of the few non portrait cards so really excited about getting it, also is a high number which seem to be tougher to get. My Mays was only the 5th PSA4 sold this year so definately not around like the low numbers. I will probably get the Paige graded someday but nice to have it raw also. Have fun picking them up !

[J.McMurry]

Thanks Johnny,

Those 3 cards you posted above are 3 of my favorite portraits,and also 3 examples of why I'll probably never complete the set. E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E.

I really like that S. Paige.

[sportsamerica]

I too am slowly working on this set. Looking for a 5 average when complete. I also like the looks of this set as well.

[doug.goodman]

Tracking down the 80 different back variations is what made this set the most fun for me...

[J.McMurry]

Interesting, I never noticed that before.
Out of the ten I currently own, 4 have the black print for personal info.

is one more rare than the other?

[tedzan]

I sold my complete set, so excuse me for showing these reprints....but, there is a great story to go with them.

I was set-up at a BB card show in 1981 and a tall, mature looking gentleman came to my table and started to pull out certain 1953T
cards from my album. As he was paying for a dozen 1953T cards, I asked him why he selected those particular ones ? He responded
with......"I did the artwork for them".
For those of you who have not heard of Jerry Dvorak, he was one of several professional artists that Topps contracted to draw the
1953T cards. Jerry and I became great friends over the years.


Shown here are 8 of about 50 cards that Jerry did the artwork for Topps.




TED Z

[J.McMurry]

That was an awesome story.
Mr. Z just solved somewhat of a personal mystery for me.

I've always had a group of favorites in the set, which was based on the artistic rendering of the player. I've been a fan of mr. Dvorak's work all these years and didnt know it. All those players shown are my absolute favorite cards due to the artistic quality.

All this time I thought all the artist's identities were unknown.

[ALR-bishop]

Card 123 Byrne can be found with the white splotches around his name and neck in different location. Card 247, Sandlock can be found with the left white border encrouching in a bulge into the picture ( rare but recurring). This was also a tough unopened pack for me

[doug.goodman]

Only 80 of the 274 issued cards have the variation, and it was my experience that each type was of similar availability.

[J.McMurry]

Doug,

All the cards I have with the blk type variation are from the low numbers.
Is the variation only in the 1st series or does it occur throughout the set?

[GoldenAge50s]

Cards 86 thru 165 (2nd series) plus 10-44-61-72 & 81 can be found both ways.

Dick Gilkeson's Error & Variation book says 94 & 107 are NOT both ways, so there are either 85 or 83 both ways.

Maybe someone else can confirm or refute 94 & 107

[doug.goodman]

It is my belief that the variation cards are as Fred said, except cards #94, 107, 131, 145, 156 are only available with white print, making a total of 80 cards with the variation.

Doug

[GoldenAge50s]

Doug---

I see now that Dick G has omitted 131, 145, & 156 from his list, along w/ drawing a line thru 94 & 107, so that indeed makes the count of 80 correct as you state. I missed the last 3 when I scanned his list!

[Dean's Cards]

1953 Topps is a great set. I actually prefer it to 1952, because of the forementioned art work. I was not aware of all the variations.

The reprint set is also very popular with people who can not afford the real thing. Although, Mantle and Jackie Robinson are popular - the toughest card that we have keeping is Satchell Paige. He is very popular, but has only a few cards.

Dean
DeansCards.com

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by Dean's Cards

1953 Topps is a great set. I actually prefer it to 1952, because of the forementioned art work. I was not aware of all the variations.

The reprint set is also very popular with people who can not afford the real thing. Although, Mantle and Jackie Robinson are popular - the toughest card that we have keeping is Satchell Paige. He is very popular, but has only a few cards.

Dean
DeansCards.com

I like it better than the 52 also, but sure would like a 52 Mantle someday. Having Paige in the set is huge, he does only have a few cards and this is the only one the average collector can really afford.

[Volod]

I have the old BBC mag issue with the article mentioned above, if you would like to see it - much tantalizing info about the variations. I too loved this set because I always recalled swapping the cards in the old schoolyard at recess. Kids then let them go easily because they paled in comparison to the Bowmans from that year. Completed a set relatively easily back in the 80's, albeit only about EX condition-wise.

[J.McMurry]

I would love to see that article, can you post it or email it?

[Volod]

Sure, I will email the article as soon as I get around to digging it out up in the attic and scanning it. If I recall correctly, TedZ was one of the authors, but not sure.
Regards,
Steve

[HRBAKER]

One of my favorite pot war sets along with the 1959 Bazookas