Topps joined the sports cards market in the 1950s becoming a rival to Bowman. After competing with each other for five years Topps bought out Bowman in 1956. Competition still remained however, in the form of Parkhurst hockey cards. Topps produced cards of the US based NHL teams while Parkhurst covered the Canadian teams. Topps had produced multi-sport photo cards prior to 1950, namely the 1948 Topps Magic Photos but each set was very small and not considered a major set 1. This trend was consistent with their first baseball and college football issues: the 1950 Feltbacks resembled college pennants; 1951 Magic football included a scratch-off game on the reverse; Red/Blue Backs intended to be a card game; Connie Mack/Current All-Stars are foldable stand-ups. It was in 1952 that Topps released their first truly major card set. Below is a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for the 1950s.

Baseball

1951

• Blue Backs 52 cards Size: 2 X 2-5/8 in.
• Red Backs 54 cards Size: 2 X 2-5/8 in.
• Connie Mack All-Stars 11 cards Size: 2-1/16 X 5-1/14 in.
• Current All-Stars 8 cards Size: 2-1/16 X 5-1/4 in.
• Topps Teams 9 cards Size: 2-1/16 X 5-1/4 in.

1952

• Base set 407 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 3-3/4 in.
• Master set 487 cards

1953

Base set 274 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 3-3/4 in.

1954

Base set 250 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 3-3/4 in.

1955

• Base set 206 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 3-3/4 in.
• Double Header 66 cards Size: 2-1/16 X 4-7/8 in.

1956

• Base set 340 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 3-3/4 in.
• Topps Pins 60 pins Size: 1-3/16 in.

1957

Base set 407 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.

1958

• Base set 494 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• Master set 534 cards

1959

• Base set 572 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• Bazooka 23 cards Size: 2-13/16 X 4-15/16 in.

Parallel Sets

1959 Topps Venezuelan 196 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.

Notable Cards

1951

• Robin Roberts Current All-Stars #10

1952

• Mickey Mantle #311

1954

• Hank Aaron #128 (Rookie)

1955

• Roberto Clemente #164 (Rookie)
• Sandy Koufax (Rookie)

Football

• 1950 Topps Felt Backs 100 cards (College) Size: 7/8 X 1-7/16 in.
• 1951 Topps Magic 75 cards (College) Size: 2-1/16 X 2-15/16 in.
• 1955 Topps All-American 100 cards (College) Size: 2-5/8 X 3-5/8 in.
• 1956 Topps 120 cards (NFL) Size: 2-5/8 X 3-5/8 in.
• 1957 Topps 154 cards (NFL) Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• 1958 Topps 132 cards (NFL) Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• 1958 Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• 1959 Bazooka 18 cards (NFL) Size: 2-13/16 X 4-15/16 in.
• 1959 Topps 176 cards (NFL) Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
• 1959 Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.

Basketball

1957-58 Topps 80 cards (NBA) Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.

References

• Beckett, Dr. James et al (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X

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