1956 or 1957 Topps? Which would you choose?

[Filthy]

I am new to collecting vintage, and came to Net54 looking for expert opinions and to educate myself in said subject. So, if this question is too mundane, I apologize in advance.

If you were to be "gifted" a complete set of 1956 Topps, or 1957 Topps and both sets were of similar condition...which would you choose? Which one is more desirable? And why?

This is basically a real case scenario for me, and right now I am having to choose. If I understand correctly, from what I have read, the 1957 set might actually be valued a little higher.However, I am absolutely in love with the overall design of the 56' set. I am not really concerned with a $$$ value, as these were a family members cards being passed onto me. So either way, they're not something I would ever sell or trade. So, Its just going to come down to personal preference.

I would love to hear open and honest opinions from experienced collectors, as far as pros and cons, and/or why you prefer one set over the other. Sell me on one or the other. I am open to any and all comments/opinions. Thanks!

[DBesse27]

The 56 Topps set is the greatest looking baseball set of all time. The Clemente is card porn.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by DBesse27

The 56 Topps set is the greatest looking baseball set of all time. The Clemente is card porn.

I like the 56's but to me they start to look too similar after a while with the portraits dominating. 57 has such great photography to boot.

[Samsdaddy]

Originally Posted by toppcat

I like the 56's but to me they start to look too similar after a while with the portraits dominating. 57 has such great photography to boot.

I agree.

[Mountaineer1999]

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=206939

[Peter_Spaeth]

57 hands down. Especially all the ones posed on grass or with the dugout as background.

[Filthy]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=206939

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely leaning more towards the 56 set, but those that prefer the 57' are pretty adamant about doing so.

[Jdoggs]

both look great. 56 is probably more expensive than 57 in same grade except for the 56 mantle psa 9 sells for less than 57 mantle psa 9.

[ALR-bishop]

Not sure about it from a per card average but the 57 will likely be more expensive in the same grade just because it is so much larger

[mrmopar]

1956 is my all time favorite design and contains my all time favorite card, Jackie Robinson.

The 56 set is missing that 1 or 2 big rookie cards, otherwise I think it would probably be a hands down winner. 53 suffers the same fate I believe. 54 has Aaron, Banks & Kaline. 55 Has Clemente and Koufax, 57 has Drysdale and the 2 Robinsons. Aparicio & Alston just don't have the pop for 56.

Too bad there is not a 57 Jackie!!

[JTysver]

I like both of them. If I were going to receive one of the two sets, I would go with the 1957 set. It is more iconic. But there are two prime differences. 1957 is loaded with Rookies with good value. The second reason is the rarer mid-range numbers. These are kind of hard to find.

1956 is a really nice set and you can't go wrong with the stars in it, but the 1957 Brooks Robinson has strong value and is always in high demand. Throw onto that the rookies of Tony Kubek, Frank Robinson, Rocky Colavito, Bobby Richardson and a few others and this set is loaded with rookies. As well, the Berra-Mantle card is also well sought after.

[HRBAKER]

1957 for me by a WIDE margin.

[PolarBear]

Here's something else I'll add:

The 1957 Topps card backs are probably the best looking card back ever created for a Topps set. The red and blue is the perfect color scheme for gray stock cards (84 and 91 was the only other time red and blue was used and they look good too). Many of the card backs from the 50's-80's are little better looking than a newspaper article.

The card number in the baseball, while not unique, is a perfect design. Not to mention the text and standard cartoon. Plus, 1957 was the first year for the innovative lifetime stats.

[brian1961]

"which would you choose? Which one is more desirable? And why?

from what I have read, the 1957 set might actually be valued a little higher.However, I am absolutely in love with the overall design of the 56' set. I am not really concerned with a $$$ value. ... So, Its just going to come down to personal preference."



Look bro, I have tried to distill the major contradictions and your answer.

Really, this should be about what YOU like and what you love. Comically speaking, are going to wait for a 2-1 majority with a minimum of 10 responses?

Your choices are both superb sets. You will get strong opinions for either one or the other, or even both. It won't drive ya nuts, but come on, friend, you yourself say, "I am absolutely in love with the overall design of the '56 set. I am not really concerned with $$$ value."

So, go with the great 1956 set, because you absolutely love the design, and you don't care about the money.

No matter which set you get, some chowderhead is gonna chirp up with, "You really blew your chance, bub. I'd have picked (the set you did not pick) in a heartbeat! Well, goody for him. You pick the one YOU love. They are both fine Topps sets, both worth boo coo, and both will probably appreciate. You'll tend to enjoy the set more if you already love its looks. So, there's your answer. Get the 1956 Topps, your own personal preference; there's nothing wrong with your taste, and nuts to everybody else!

Nice opportunity, if I may say so.

Regards, Brian Powell

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Filthy

However, I am absolutely in love with the overall design of the 56' set

Sounds like you just answered your own question.