I got hooked on cards because of my dad. He saved all his, a complete run of Topps 57 to 63.
I wanted to start my own set, and the 52s just grabbed ahold of me.
The odd thing is I care not a bit to watch baseball today. I have zero interest. But I adore the cards of the period, and especially the 52s, let me count the ways
1) They are works of art. Make no doubt about it, these cards are truly gorgeous works of craft. I adore the handcolored feel, and how each card is a little different. Some (Walter Masterson) just have a light color wash and have a faded, well loved look. Others, like the Durocher are intricate, lovingly detailed, almost photographic in their color realism.
2) They are devoid of cynicism. I go to card shows when they come around, but I mostly abhor the crap being peddled. Ready made, prefab collectibles that go straight from the pack to the plastic. The early topps cards were MADE for kids. Made to be LOVED. I love each card I buy for the fact that there was surely some young kid who loved that card, who spent his hard earned money, and walked or biked to the Rexall or the Woolworth to buy a pack. I feel like I'm keeping that feeling alive by treasuring these cards, and keeping them out of the hands of dealers just looking to make their 20 percent.
3) They represent a bygone era. I don't want to fall into the trap of saying the 50s were the good ole days. They weren't. Nuclear war, red scares, segregation...they weren't the best of times. But what I DO mourn, what I regret that I will never know, was baseball as it was regarded at the time. I can only go from what my Dad tells me, that baseball was EVERYTHING to a boy growing up then. These cards depict players that kids looked up to. They were athletes, gods and your big brother rolled up in one. Some are goofy looking, some actually have halos! Most of all, they were loyal to their teams. Guys spent whole careers with a team. They were loved. Now, players sell themselves to the highest bidder. Sure they were getting screwed in the past by being paid less, but for free agency and those pay checks, many have lost their souls, and helped kill the game as it once was.
4) Least of all, though still important, these cards do retain their value. I don't trust investing in pieces of paper for companies that will mismanage my investment, or run sweatshops, or in general work against the common interest of the people at large. I rather invest in something I can hold in my hand. I want to build a collection of something to be proud of, that people will enjoy, that one day I will donate or sell to establish a fund or scholarship.
I simply LOVE those 52s, and I'll build one of the best sets ever!
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