[brian1961]

I concur, the 1952 Topps set is dazzling---beginning to end. There's so many great images. Besides Mantle and Jackie Robinson, I love the Johnny Mize. I could look at that one most any day, and it puts a smile on my face. The Allie Reyolds portrait is perfect. I like horizontals, so the Gil Hodges is a honey to me, with that great expression on his face.

People comment about the odd Gus Zernial. I think it had to do with him breaking a record for the most home runs in one week, though I might be wrong. Wasn't there a similar card of ace Giants' hurler, Larry Jansen? Larry is holding out a bunch of fingers. Perhaps he may have won 6-7 games in one month.

The Monte Irvin is sweet. The Minnie Minoso is very disappointing. I would have had him sliding into home with the catcher obviously "disengaged" and his face close enough to see--- a crazed and contorted expression connoting "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" In the background, the on-deck batter's face has to be visible too--with a look of "get 'em, Minnie!"

I guess you could say us baseball card collectors have a wild colorful imagination, at times.

I bought the 1952 Topps reprint set in 1983 when it was released. I own some originals, and they are indeed far superior to the reprints, but the latter are nice, too. Topps did a fine job on them, providing the opportunity for those less fortunate to experience their landmark set.

Salute. ----Brian Powell