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MW<< Which cards in the 1956 Topps set are in Gray OR White? And, of those cards with both possibilities which is less common (ie generally sells for more)? Any ideas on what the ratio is; or why this variation exists in the first place. >>
Brian,
1956 Topps baseball cards were issued in white and gray backs for the first two series. Numbers 1-100 are more commonly found with white backs, which often possess a washed-out or faded and somewhat "whitened" appearance. First series gray backs are valued at a slight premium since they are in shorter supply. Furthermore, only the first series was available in Canada and all of the cards are found with white backs. There are three team variations for this series. Teams with the name left and name centered are possible with both gray and white backs while the dated teams are only found with white backs.
The second series features some of the most difficult post-WWII baseball cards to find in NM-MT or better condition. Numbers 101-180 are most commonly encountered with gray backs and are fairly easy to acquire in top grade. However, the second series white backs are several times more difficult to locate and are exponentially more scarce than their gray back counterparts in better than NM condition. The fronts of the white backs possess extremely fragile surfaces and are particularly susceptible to creasing and chipping.
If you check eBay regularly, any second series white back will sell for a significant premium over a gray back -- typically 5 to 10 times as much for equivalent grades (EX or better). Since the early 1970s, advanced collectors and savvy dealers have also been combing 1956 Topps inventories in order to locate a quality, white back #135 Mickey Mantle -- the "white whale" of the 1956 Topps Set in NM-MT (or Mint!) condition.