I have been working on a guidebook to Topps from 1938-56 (about 70% done) and this is what I have written about the highs in '52:
"The sixth series was actually referred to by Topps as the “Second Series” and was marketed in a way that supported this message. No penny packs have been identified and the nickel packs, which seem to account for the only method of initial distribution, had a wrapper that was changed to a blue and red scheme for this series. An account given by former Topps statistician and eventual after-market test issue dealer Bill Haber (although he joined Topps after 1952) states the high numbers were only available in New York. This sounds dubious on the face but the cards debuted around the time of the World Series and may only have been on sale in New York City during the baseball season and elsewhere afterwards. Indeed, a surviving advertisement lists only New York City players as the stars in the second series as Brooklyn and the Yankees faced off. The timing may also have had to do with expiry of some Bowman contracts, with the end of the regular season marking a turnover point for some players."
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