O/T - Did You Buy '52 Topps High Numbers As A Kid?

[martin neal]

My buddy who is too shy to post told me he remembers buying 1952 Topps (probably high series) in Ridley Park, Pennslyvania, but "Ziggy *******, stole them from me." It is a shame as most of his cards (Berk Ross, Bowmans and Topps) survived in the original condition as he bought them in. Many have been graded by Psa and Sgc in the 8 and 9 range.

[toppcat]

Appreciate all the input folks. Looks like they made it to California after all, maybe a little late.

The lack of Topps cards in a Bowman town is intresting. I would think some smaller towns or rural areas only had one distributor and if they already carried Bowman it may have precluded the Topps line being sold.

So far we also have a New Jersey waterfront across from Manhattan and a Philly suburb, North Carolina (surprise) and the California stops.

Any more recollections out there? Some of you guys are too young I know but this is a pretty big group, there must be more.

[pow323]

I went into Woolworths just the other day and picked up some of these boxes! HA! HA! Ole! to have a time machine.

[GoldenAge50s]

Dave---

A bit more info as best I can recall, keeping in mind the fact that I still retain today almost ALL of the cards I bought in packs from the '48 thru '56 years:

For some strange reason I have 1951 Red & Blue backs, Topps Team & Connie Mack All-Time AS in my original collection today, but none of the ML All-Stars, but my recollection is that they were available--just not too popular because of the odd size! Maybe I traded mine. I also was able to buy Berk Ross, but I never picked up many of them 'cause I didn't like them! LOL!

Both Bowman & Topps were available in my small town near Buffalo & another small town 80 miles south near the PA border (where my Grandparents lived) in 1951, '52, 53 & beyond--I bought BOTH at several diff types of stores. I also have 1951 RingSide boxing as further proof Topps was available in that area.

BUT, nowhere in that WNY area did I ever see High # Topps, or even Semi-Highs. In the early '80s I used to frequent yard sales all over that area looking for cards & I NEVER picked up any High #'s or ever found any Leaf. I did find some Semi-Highs once but I believe they were imported from somewhere else--maybe nearby Canada.

I also do not ever remember being able to buy any Topps BB from '52 into '53 or any other year. 1953 Topps were plentiful when they came out all the way thru the High Series & end of the season---I still have 2 complete sets & a bunch of dupes from back then.

One more thing on '52 Topps BB: Altho I never saw any High or Semi-High #'s in that area, as soon as the football cards were issued I bought them, both Large & Small 1952 Bowman,and was able to buy all I wanted, and the 1951 Topps Magic FB were available the yr before.

Maybe this will help a bit more!