Posted By:
BobI didn't collect during the '50s (I was pretty much a pre-embryo at the time), so all of the cards from those years were acquired while I was an adult. I'd have to rank them as follows:
1956 - I used to not like this set, but that's before I really took a good look at them. Incredible color and fantastic background pictures are what does it for me.
1957 - Some cards are muddy and washed out, but the ones with good color and crisp images more than make up for the bad ones (i.e., Reds, Phillies, and Yankees [except for Mantle]). Clean, simple design and classic images.
1952 - Some cheesy pictures and bizarre colors, but it's still an incredible set.
1955 - Close to the '56 set, but not enough cards to move it up in the ranking.
1958 - I used to dislike the solid color backgrounds, but it's growing on me. I have a feeling that this one will be in the top three before I'm done (i.e., dead).
1954 - Not my favorite set, but it's not as bad as I used to think. I love the two Williams cards and the big-three rookies.
1959 - Cards look great when centered in high grade, but I've never really liked the circle thing or the solid colored background.
1953 - I kinda don't like it.
1951 - Ditto. I like the Connie Macks and the Major League All-Stars, but not the red or blue backs.