Top five cards from the 20th century from an aesthetic standpoint
 

These are my favorite top 5 cards (1900-1999) in terms of design, image, and to an extent the player as well. Obviously star power goes a long way, but here they are in order:


1. 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle
Mantle's '52 Bowman (not his rookie and wasn't the other card) is often looked, and IMO undervalued. For me personally, the illustration could have been a masterpiece all by itself. Mantle is looking out at the field, but it's as if he's looking at the future with calm and poise. The background design is simple and yet compliments mantle in terms of both visual balance and color. I also love how Bowman cards typically added thick black outlines around players - giving it a block print feel. Lastly, Bowman dropped the block lettering that they used in '51. The use of a facsimilie signature on the front really looks clean, giving the design a more spacious feel - despite the small nature of the card.

2. 1933 Tatto Orbit Dizzy Dean (RC)
Another underated set that doesn't get the love it deserves - This card also doesn't get the attention it deserves IMO. Nonetheless, it's absolutely beautiful. Instead of just putting Dizzy right in the middle and enlarging him, the illustrator forces him to share the space with the surrounding ballpark. It was created during a period of time when Art Deco and Cubism were still popular. I really love the limited color scheme (reds and yellows) that created for some interesting off colors (the sky), as they really work with the mostly greyscale tinted photo/illustration of him. I always thought this would have been a cool card to enlarge and display.

3. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Here's Mick's 'other card'. Whether it be the design or simply because it was an iconic card, the '52 Topps Mantle has always been, IMO, one of the top designs ever. From the bright colors of his yellow bat and the blue aqua sky to the stars that border his facsimilie signature (reminds me of a broadway or vegas sign), I can see how kids would have loved these cards compared to their competition. Also, the upward shot of a young mantle looking out to the horizon lends the idea that he is somehow looking to the future. There is a reason this card sells for what it does.

4. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. (RC)
Great shot of a smiling Junior + Amazing design + it became the face of modern cards (literally) = masterpiece. I kind of equate this to an Andy Warhol, in the sense that it was mass produced (like his soup can), and is so iconic. Everything came together for this card - nothing more to say.

5. 1987 Donruss Bo Jackson (RC)
This was the first card that I remember seeing a friend have and I can remember wanting to have. There is something really classic about the photo of him since it kind of reminds my of paintings from the Romantic period, where people were painted in a idealized manner. Added to that was the border. I am a sucker for dark bordered cards. This was one of my favorite Donruss designs.

Runners up...
T206 Honus Wagner
1985 Topps Mark McGwire
1997 Finest The Man Refractor Greg Maddux


Just for fun, I would love to see what others think or come up with.

T227 Cobb
1953 Bowman Musial
1953 Topps Mays
1972 Topps Clemente
1989 Topps Henderson

Well written, Scott. :)
I had to look up that Tattoo Dizzy Dean card you were talking about as I don't believe I had ever seen it before.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1933-Tattoo-O...wAAOSwopRYjidP

I see what you mean. It's a great looking card.

Somewhat arbitrary but I think these are all very attractive.

Absolutely it's arbitrary, but that's what makes it fun. I love the look of the '52 jackie robinson with the red background.

The 53 Topps Mays is IMO one of the best from that set (and that says a lot) and his best looking card. As for the Rickey, I had to go back and look at it, and I must admit I like it better than his RC card. That would look killer with a red or blue sharpie auto on it.

I hate the Henderson RC. This one from his second year is nice IMO, and very hard to find.

My top 3 are 33 ruth #144, 53 bowman reese, and 52 Mantle. I'd have to think about the last 2.

Which brand put out that Henderson? It's very nice, but I've never seen it before.


Mike

1981 Granny Goose lol.

1954 Ernie Banks
I'm not a Banks collector, but this card is always one that comes to mind when people bring up this topic.

I love the look of the Diamond Stars. These are two favorites.

Personally, I think this is one of the nicest cards in one of the nicest sets ever created

Attachment 281689

My Most Aesthetically Pleasing Cards:
 

Pre-War

1904 Allegheny Card Co.- Christy Mathewson
1909 T206- Cy Young (glove)
1909 T206- Walter Johnson (portrait)
1933 Goudey #144- Babe Ruth
1934 Goudey #37- Lou Gehrig


Post-War

1948 Leaf- Ted Williams
1949 Bowman - Satchel Paige
1954 Topps- Hank Aaron
1957 Topps- Mickey Mantle
1965 Topps- Mickey Mantle

T206 Walter Johnson portrait
1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle
T3 Nap Lajoie
E93 Tommy Leach
R313 Waner/Waner/Weaver

I've had them all at some point and wish I still had them (at the original prices I paid!)

T227 Frank Baker
R327 Stan Hack
T206 Rucker portrait
1914/1915 Cracker Jack McGraw
1907 Seemless Ty Cobb

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144
3. T3 Ty Cobb
4. 1956 Topps Roberto Clemente
5. 1965 Topps Sandy Koufax

Nice Granny Goose, Peter, and I agree, it is very attractive, as compared to his RC. I do like the RC a lot, and I miss the one I used to own, but the Goose takes the trophy from an aesthetic standpoint, hands down. ---Brian Powell

1. Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle (any year, but to pin me down, I would say the '53)

2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle

3. 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb

4. 1966 Philadelphia Football Gale Sayers

5. 1961-62 Topps Hockey Bobby Hull

6. T-3 Ty Cobb

7. 1960 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle

8. 1933 DeLong Pepper Martin

9. 1970 - 71 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champions team issue photo -- Derek Sanderson

10. 1954 Topps Ted Williams #1

Yes, I am well aware the OP said "Top five cards". I couldn't select five, and I could continue to 50. I love the 1954 Red Heart Mickey Mantle, or both of the 1934 Goudey Gehrigs. I would also add the 1988 Pacific Legends Mickey Mantle, or the fantasy 1915 Cracker Jack Babe Ruth they gave out at the National several years ago, or my own fantasy 1954 Wilson Franks Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson (both versions!). and finally, the 1987 Perez-Steele Great Moments Mickey Mantle (created in the same style as the renown T-3s). If you say, you love a lot a cards, Brian, you'd be right.

Then there's the early 60s Bee-Hive hockey premiums of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, or the 1964 Topps Giants Dean Chance, or his 1967 Coca-Cola premium. For that matter, the '67 Coke premiums of Ernie Banks, Mel Stottlemyre, and again, Mickey Mantle. Or Mick's full-length batting pose Exhibit card, showing him as a rookie!

It is a big part of why we all collect. There are a lot of cards to love and not everyone loves the same one.

Which is indeed a good thing, Bill. There's also enough cross-over appeal so that if we happen to actually own a few of these, someone will probably want to buy it.:D

Care to name your favorites, Bill? I'm all ears, at least come the time I can get back on here tomorrow!

--- Brian Powell

Probably not the best but 5 cards I am glad I have in my collection from a visual stand point. Just wish the Mantle was a real 53 and not the 1991 reprint.

+1 I'd have to put that down as my single favorite image on a sports card.

Favorites
 

Here are a bunch of my favorites(can't limit it to just 5!!!):

http://imgur.com/xQH4pWA


http://imgur.com/6hEIkXD


http://imgur.com/5oNgdER


http://imgur.com/znYXU3d

http://imgur.com/rqFGOOu

http://imgur.com/6OvA7uE

http://imgur.com/0tNtS2z

http://imgur.com/n6KUnPP

http://imgur.com/Vh5oLI0

http://imgur.com/KZvyO48

http://imgur.com/KVhwPSy

http://imgur.com/bNAsrnp

http://imgur.com/b0TtPpy

http://imgur.com/kk5Mvuv

Here are a bunch that I have and love!!!