CGC Cards Registry Featured Set: 1953 Topps Baseball

We're already in the dog days of summer, as Independence Day has passed and July brings the heat. Meanwhile, fans are packing baseball stadiums around the country and enjoying our nation's favorite pastime, which has been a popular summer activity for decades.

During the summer of 1953, baseball fans were not only attending games but also eagerly collecting Topps' second major baseball card release: the 1953 Topps Baseball set. Revered today for its attractive design and extensive checklist filled with future Hall of Famers, the 1953 series became one of the most coveted baseball card sets ever created.

CGC Cards is revisiting this famous baseball set through CGC Cards Registry set owner WoodallEstateSales' top-ranked Woody's 1953 Topps set, which consists of 109 cards out of the 274-card set and includes a majority of the most sought-after cards that are featured in the series. The set owner compiled numerous Hall of Famers in their collection, with more than 30 cards earning Top Pops, helping the set owner earn the prestigious Best in Set Type distinction.

1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson graded CGC 4.5 Click images to enlarge.

The 1953 Topps Baseball set was released as a four-series set: Series 1 (#1-85), Series 2 (#86-165), Series 3 (#166-220) and Series 4 (#221-280). Topps originally intended for the four series to be a 280-card set; however, due to contract issues with six players that were lost to rival card maker Bowman, the 1953 set would only consist of 274 cards in total. Therefore, card #s 253, 261, 267, 268, 271 and 275 were cancelled before release.

Like other Topps sets of the era, the last series (or "high numbers") are rarer than the earlier series and include short prints. Each series consists of 2-5/8" x 3-3/4"-sized cards that feature colorful artistic depictions of each player, which made for one of the most attractive baseball sets ever produced. Every card has a simple white border on the fronts and a colored text box at the bottom in either black (National League) or red (American League). The text includes the player's name, team name and position, with a full-color team logo attached to the corner of each text box.

LEFT: 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle graded CGC 2 RIGHT: 1953 Topps #244 Willie Mays graded CGC 3 Click images to enlarge.

The back side of the cards contain several sections that include a baseball at the top left corner and the card's number within it. Running along the top of the card is the player's name and other vital player information. The next section down is a short biography about the featured player, with a facsimile signature overlayed through the biography. The bottom section is split in half and features the player's statistics on the left and a baseball-related trivia question on the right with a small cartoon.

This popular set is well-known for showcasing numerous MLB stars who would go on to be inducted into Cooperstown, including #1 Jackie Robinson, #27 Roy Campanella, #37 Eddie Mathews, #54 Bob Feller, #76 Pee Wee Reese, #82 Mickey Mantle, #104 Yogi Berra, #147 Warren Spahn, #220 Satchel Paige, #244 Willie Mays and more. The checklist also has some glaring omissions, like Ted Williams, who was absent due to serving a second tour of duty with the US Marine Corps. Others like Stan Musial, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges were absent from the 1953 Topps set due to their exclusive Bowman contracts.

LEFT: 1953 Topps #37 Ed Mathews graded CGC 6.5 RIGHT: 1953 Topps #147 Warren Spahn graded CGC 3 Click images to enlarge.

Within the 1953 vintage set, set owner WoodallEstateSales has compiled an impressive 36 Top Pop cards in the CGC Cards Population Report, which are highlighted by a #37 Eddie Mathews that is graded CGC 6.5. High-grade examples from this set that feature some of the greatest players of their generation can easily command five figures, with some high-grade rarities valued at six or even seven figures.

LEFT: 1953 Topps #104 Yogi Berra graded CGC 4.5 RIGHT: 1953 Topps #220 Satchel Paige graded CGC 2.5 Click images to enlarge.

Needless to say, many of the cards from this set are considered grails of the hobby. Some of the most vital cards of some of the most legendary players in MLB history are showcased within the 1953 Topps Baseball set. As a staple of vintage baseball cards, with an extensive selection of MLB icons among its checklist, these cards are part of what is truly one of the hobby's most exciting and beloved baseball sets ever created.

About the CGC Cards Sports Card Registry

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Related Links:

• More CGC Cards Registry Featured Sets
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• Congratulations, 2023 CGC Cards Registry Award Winners!