1959 Topps Questions

[T206Collector]

As I mentioned on another thread, I landed a huge chunk of 1950s Topps cards, including over 800 1959 Topps commons. A few notes/questions:

1. The group included very few hi numbers. How rare are these in EX-MT condition, and how much should I be prepared to spend to get them?

2. Cards 199-286 are found with both grey and white backs -- any reason to collect both versions? Is one more valuable than the other? I prefer the aesthetics of the white backs.

3. Errors -- some guys' transactions are missing from the back; Spahn's birthday is all screwed up; etc. Are any of these worth anything? Should I keep an eye out for them, or just ignore them as equally common/irrelevant.


Thanks!

[Bocabirdman]

The high numbered commons can be picked up in lots for less tha $5 a piece. There are exceptions of course. The Rookie Norm Cash usually cost more than you would expect., Maybe Low grade T206 money. There are also the AllStars and the Corsair Trio (Clemente). The biggest dawgs will run $50+. The Hi #'s are very do-able, not very hard to track down.

The error cards are up to you. The Spahn card has a premium for sure but I don't care about most of the others.

Grey vs. White? I agree that White is more pleasing but I didn't bother with both.

[darkhorse9]

I'm working on this set as we speak.

The high numbers are not difficult to find or expensive (in light of other high number series in surrounding sets like 1961)

The grey/white issue is the same thing as the 1960 set. There's no real premium for either and I don't bother with worrying about which one I get in that series. I will say this, though. a complete set looks really cool when each series has it's own back color (grey/white/grey/white/grey etc.) so focusing on one when you're doing a complete set does look cool.

As for the errors and variations - personally I don't care. I worry about them when they dramatically affect the front of the card, but if you have to examine the card real closely to see if the "2" is partially obscured or not?....bah!

[ALR-bishop]

T 206-- I have been collecting since 1957 and the 59 Topps set was the first one I completed, so it is my sentimental favorite, even though it is not their finest effort.

I agree with those above who say the high numbers can be had at reasonable prices. While the gray backs ( 199-286) are less common than the whites, there is no real premium, but I agree that if you display the set in a binder in sheets it looks better if they are all one color.

I think, though that the variations in this set are, for the most part, good ones to have. While some of the most expensive Topps "variations" are really just print defects, such as the 58 Herrer, the 57 Bakep and 52 Campos black star, the 59 set has several real variations that resulted when Topps intentionally changed several cards, such as the trade/option variants ( Lumenetti/Giallombardo/Hanebrink/Loes/Nichols, and the 3 different Spahn DOBs. On the other hand, the 3 different Haywood Sullivans are of the print defect variety ( circle or not around copyright and period or not after the A in USA).

One thing to consider in whether to collect the variations is whether you want a master set. If so, you might want to go for the ones listed in the SCD Standard Catalog, or those included in the PSA Registry master set ( both include the 3 Sullivans).

I am not a graded guy and like to add variants I find to my sets so I did the traded/option variants (not too expensive) and Spahn DOBs ( alittle more expensive because of Spahn).

I am posting some of my other 59 oddities, the Ramos with the irregular top left border ( there is one on ebay now at a ridiculous price), Porterfield with the errant green line on back, Wynn with the blotted i on front, Hitting Kings with the A scribbled A above their shoulders ( pretty common), and the Drabo odd top border. All are recurring

[ALR-bishop]

[mintacular]

Very fun set, most collectors as stated do not worry about the cream/gray back differences

[doug.goodman]

Completing a "master" set with both back varieties only adds to the fun

Doug

[ALR-bishop]

Doug lives for fun