New to FB - thoughts on 56 Topps
 

Hello. I am a long-time baseball collector and have been active for a while on the Postwar Baseball forum. I am considering beginning a vintage football set. I am putting together a mid-grade raw 1952 Topps baseball set (I am crazy, I know). I thought it would be cool to also have Topps first football set, as well. What's are your thoughts on the 1956 set? What are the biggest challenges, etc.?

Thanks and I look forward to learning from you veteran football collectors.

Ed

Hi Ed
Just like I am not sure 1952 Topps baseball cards would be considered Topps first baseball cards (1948 Topps Magic Photos; 1951 Red and Blue backs; 1951 Connie Mack All-Stars; 1951 Topps Teams) I don't know if 1956 Topps football cards would be called Topps first football cards (1950 Topps Felt Backs; 1951 Topps Magic; 1955 Topps All-American).
1956 Topps football cards are the first to feature only pro players. At only 120 cards it's an easy set to put together of course mine is in P/F/G condition. Nice big cards just like your 1952 baseball cards, and the backs are awesome. Most expensive card in the set according to my standard catalog (that is a few years old) is the #1 card Jack (John) Carson $200 NM. I like the team cards too.
I bet you complete this football set before you complete the 1952 Topps baseball set:)
Larry

Thanks Larry. You are absolutely correct that the 52 baseball and 56 football aren't actually Topps first set for each sport. I should have said first full set with current players. I really like the size of the 52-56 baseball and was glad to see the 56 football is the same. Like my 52 set, this will be a mid-grade project so I should be able to pick up cards, hopefully, at a good price. There is no doubt that I should complete the 56 FB before the 52 BB 😊. To make the BB project a little more realistic for an average Joe collector like me, I am working on the "low number set" (1-310). Takes the pressure off of having to find the Mantle LOL.

Thanks again

Redskins and Cardinals
 

A fairly easy set to put together with a host of early HOFers. The Redskins and Cardinals were all short printed--so they will run at least double than the other teams.