Most significant or sought after postwar cards (besides Mantle)

[almostdone]

As I looked at the postwar page tonight there is another thread about 52 Topps Mantle cards. I don't think many would disagree that this card is one of, if not the most significant or sought after postwar card out there but it is a card I truly have no interest in ever owning.

I started to think of all the other cards out there that we as collectors go after and talk about.

My question is what would be the most significant or sought after postwar non Mantle cards in the hobby?

Since we here seem to love top 5 lists let's try to go with that for a theme. Feel free to give reasons or examples of why they hit your list. Pictures are nice to. If you got 'em, show 'em.

I'll let others chime in before I give my opinions. So let's see what is on collectors minds when it comes to things sans Mantle.

Drew

[CW]

The first two cards that come to mind are the '54 Topps Hank Aaron and the '55 Clemente. Both cards also seem to have steadily increased in value over the years, leaving many collectors wishing they'd bought one years ago.

[cardsfan73]

1963 Topps Pete Rose

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan

[1963Topps Set]

1967 Topps Tom Seaver.

This seems to be on everyone's wish list.

[bcbgcbrcb]

1951 Bowman Mays

[almostdone]

I remember reading an article years ago (I think it was in Beckett) of the results of a poll given to vintage collectors about top ten most desired cards. I want to say you know what was first but fairly high up was 53 Bowman Pee Wee Reese.
Drew

[rats60]

1955 Topps Clemente
1952 Topps Mays
1954 Topps Aaron
1954 Bowman Williams
1955 Topps Koufax

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by rats60

1955 Topps Clemente
1952 Topps Mays
1954 Topps Aaron
1954 Bowman Williams
1955 Topps Koufax

I was thinking of the same ones. My alternate would be the 1954 Topps Banks rookie.

[Jdoggs]

Sorry I'm going to do one from each of the 4 major sports:
Baseball-1955 topps Clemente
Football-1981 topps Montana
Basketball-1986 fleer Jordan
Hockey-1979 opeechee Gretzky

[Zach Wheat]

We need to fit the '48 Leaf Robinson in there somewhere.

Z Wheat

[egri]

Mine would be:

1954 Bowman Williams
1952 Topps Mathews
1954 Topps Aaron
1955 Topps Clemente
1953 Bowman Reese/1960 Topps Yastrezemski

[Robextend]

As a biased RC collector I would say:

'55 Topps Clemente
'54 Topps Aaron
'55 Topps Koufax
'51 Bowman Mays
'63 Topps Rose

[RaidonCollects]

Looking at some of the major auction/ebay prices, post war cards (50's cards especially) are on the rise.

All the 1952 Topps rarities are usually in high demand. Pafko, Mays and of course Mantle to name a few.

The 53 Topps Mays card is always a scarce one to have, as it is a high numbered short print.

The 54 Aaron and especially Banks rookies are increasing in value, especially after Mr. Cub's recent passing.

That's about it from those particular years, there is of course the earlier Bowman's and the later 50's/60's Topps cards.

Kind Regards,

Owen

[TAVG]

for me
bowman rcs of spahn and musial
48 paige
48 robinson

[Lgarza99]

1957 Topps Dodgers Sluggers
1956 Topps Dodgers and Yankees team cards
1953 Topps Jackie Robinson
1953 Topps Mays
1952 Topps Campanella

[brewing]

I see all the love for the 52 Topps Mays. I don't get it. Isn't his 51 Bowman or 1953 Topps more significant?

[jason.1969]

Am going to put it out there that I think of "The Greatest Generation" of baseball players as the black superstars who entered the game between 1947 and the early 60s. They utterly transformed the game if not our entire country and did so while enduring unbelievable hardship and ugliness (the book "After Jackie" is a great source). Along those lines, I am putting my votes down for--

1. 1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson
2. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron
3. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays
4. 1954 Topps Ernie Banks
5. 1957 Topps Frank Robinson

Obviously the list could be much much longer.