1952 Topps Baseball Cards One could argue that, with the possible exception of the T206 White Borders, the 1952 Topps baseball card set is the most famous and important of all time. The 407 card set was the first to use large size (2-5/8" by 3-3/4") cards, the first to incorporate colored team logos in the card design, and the first to employ complete statistics for the previous year and the player's lifetime. The set is comprised of hand-colored black and white photographs of most of the game's players from the previous season. Major stars not included (who were signed exclusively with Bowman at the time) were Ralph Kiner, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Casey Stengel, Ewell Blackwell, Nelson Fox, Sal Maglie, Don Newcombe, Jimmy Piersall, and Vic Raschi. Noted rookies in the set include Billy Martin, Hoyt Wilhelm, Eddie Mathews, Minnie Minoso, Gil McDougald, and Pete Runnels. There are several errors and variations in the set, which include cards numbered 1-80 being printed first with all black backs, and later with black and red backs. The set was issued in 6 different print runs, with the last run of 97 cards (numbers 311-407) being quite scarce. (more...) |
1951 Bowman Baseball Cards I was eleven years old in 1951, and in fifth grade at the Raymond Avenue Grade School in Poughkeepsie, New York. Although we were not supposed to leave school grounds during recess, some brave soul discovered 1951 Bowman baseball cards at Reed’s Variety Store, across the street from the school. I guess I was a little slower than some of the other kids, because I didn't get started collecting 1951 Bowman baseball cards until the second or third series was being sold. I quickly became fascinated by the 2-1/16” by 3-1/8” colorful pieces of cardboard that pictured most of the players on the 16 Major League teams of the day. It wasn't easy going back and getting all the cards that I’d missed, but by making trades, and even buying cards from kids, I was able to get the cards I missed, and eventually collect the whole set. I still remember the terrible time I had talking one of my friends out of the Ed “Whitey” Ford and Larry “Yogi” Berra cards, numbers 1 and 2. I collected cards through 1956; then, like most other teen-aged boys, became more interested in girls, cars, and other more “grown up” activities. (more...) |
1952 Topps Wings Cards The exact year of issue for Topps Wings cards seems to be a mystery. Bob Nolan writes in The Wrapper, No. 97, that he remembers buying them in January of 1952. I have a Wings vendor box that carries a 1952 copyright. SGC insists they're a 1953 issue. Others claim they came out in 1954. I remember buying them as a kid, but feel certain it was later than 1952. I certainly remember not buying Wings cards and 1952 Topps baseball cards at the same time. Probably they came out in varying forms in all three, or even more years. (more...) |
1940s Wings Cigarette Cards In the early 1940s, the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, of Louisville, Kentucky, issued the Modern American Airplanes series of trading cards. Wings cigarettes were a product of the depression. While regular cigarettes cost 25¢ for two packs, Wings packs sold for 10¢ each. The cards were inserted in cigarette packs as a premium. There are four series of 50 subjects each. The back of each card contains descriptive text particular to each aircraft. It seems B&W initially planned to produce only one set of 50 cards. At some point in the process, they decided they had a good thing on their hands, and added another 100 subjects. (more...) |
1951 Bowman Jets, Rockets and Spacemen The Jets, Rockets and Spacemen story unfolds in the tradition of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers of the 1930's. Captain Zara and Doctor Zara explore the planets of outer space, fighting battles against the creatures of the solar system. The set consists of 108 cards, released in three series of 36 cards each. The cards are generally in a horizontal format and measure 2-1/16" x 3-1/8". The American Card Catalog number for this set is R701-19. Six cards in the first series and three cards in the third series depict "modern" jet planes of the day. The only cards I am interested in are these nine Jets and Rockets of the Jets, Rockets and Spacemen set. (more...) |
1955 (Aircraft) Exhibits Referred to as "Exhibits" because they were issued by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago, Ill. The black and white cards, which measure 3-3/8" by 5-3/8", are blank-backed. They have been designated as W452 in Jefferson Burdick's American Card Catalog. Most exhibits were sold through arcade vending machines for a penny. There are two sets of numbered aircraft-related cards of 64 subjects each. One has the imprint "Printed In USA", the other, "Made In USA". Examples on thinner stock, with post card backs, are also available. Other exhibit cards featured baseball players, football players, boxers, and movie stars. (more...) |