New to FB - thoughts on 56 Topps

[Vintagevault13]

Hello. I am a long-time baseball collector and have been active for a while on the Postwar Baseball forum. I am considering beginning a vintage football set. I am putting together a mid-grade raw 1952 Topps baseball set (I am crazy, I know). I thought it would be cool to also have Topps first football set, as well. What's are your thoughts on the 1956 set? What are the biggest challenges, etc.?

Thanks and I look forward to learning from you veteran football collectors.

Ed

[LuckyLarry]

Hi Ed
Just like I am not sure 1952 Topps baseball cards would be considered Topps first baseball cards (1948 Topps Magic Photos; 1951 Red and Blue backs; 1951 Connie Mack All-Stars; 1951 Topps Teams) I don't know if 1956 Topps football cards would be called Topps first football cards (1950 Topps Felt Backs; 1951 Topps Magic; 1955 Topps All-American).
1956 Topps football cards are the first to feature only pro players. At only 120 cards it's an easy set to put together of course mine is in P/F/G condition. Nice big cards just like your 1952 baseball cards, and the backs are awesome. Most expensive card in the set according to my standard catalog (that is a few years old) is the #1 card Jack (John) Carson $200 NM. I like the team cards too.
I bet you complete this football set before you complete the 1952 Topps baseball set
Larry

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

Hi Ed
Just like I am not sure 1952 Topps baseball cards would be considered Topps first baseball cards (1948 Topps Magic Photos; 1951 Red and Blue backs; 1951 Connie Mack All-Stars; 1951 Topps Teams) I don't know if 1956 Topps football cards would be called Topps first football cards (1950 Topps Felt Backs; 1951 Topps Magic; 1955 Topps All-American).
1956 Topps football cards are the first to feature only pro players. At only 120 cards it's an easy set to put together of course mine is in P/F/G condition. Nice big cards just like your 1952 baseball cards, and the backs are awesome. Most expensive card in the set according to my standard catalog (that is a few years old) is the #1 card Jack (John) Carson $200 NM. I like the team cards too.
I bet you complete this football set before you complete the 1952 Topps baseball set
Larry

Thanks Larry. You are absolutely correct that the 52 baseball and 56 football aren't actually Topps first set for each sport. I should have said first full set with current players. I really like the size of the 52-56 baseball and was glad to see the 56 football is the same. Like my 52 set, this will be a mid-grade project so I should be able to pick up cards, hopefully, at a good price. There is no doubt that I should complete the 56 FB before the 52 BB 😊. To make the BB project a little more realistic for an average Joe collector like me, I am working on the "low number set" (1-310). Takes the pressure off of having to find the Mantle LOL.

Thanks again

[hoot-owl]

A fairly easy set to put together with a host of early HOFers. The Redskins and Cardinals were all short printed--so they will run at least double than the other teams.