1954 Topps Baseball Card # 72 Preston Ward - Pittsburgh Pirates (VG/EX)

Description: 1954 Topps Baseball Card # 72 Preston Ward - Pittsburgh Pirates (VG/EX)1950-1959 Baseball CardsOther decades may have produced more valuable cards, but 1950s baseball cards are arguably the most iconic and sought-after vintage cards in the entire hobby. At times, they seemed more like art than simply sports cards. Vivid colors and beautiful images filled checklists with names that now populate Cooperstown. As the country moved on after World War II, this would become the Renaissance period for baseball cards. A dominant figure throughout much of baseball card history, Topps released their first baseball product in 1951 and would not look back. While the later years of the 1950s and beyond were owned by Topps, they got a serious fight from Bowman in the early 1950s.Although there are many great options from this decade, 1951 Bowman, 1952 Topps, and 1954 Topps have separated themselves from the pack. Top rookie card offering from this decade include Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Ernie Banks, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Eddie Matthews, and Bob Gibson.1954 Topps Baseball CardsLed by rookie cards for Hank Aaron, Al Kaline and Ernie Banks, 1954 Topps Baseball is filled with Hall of Fame talent. The distinct design and strong checklist make it one of the best 1950s releases.Product DetailsHeadlined by rookie cards for several of the greatest baseball players of all-time, 1954 Topps Baseball is further enhanced by a strong veteran roster. The appealing design and impressive checklist has resulted in one of the more timeless vintage baseball sets.1954 Topps Baseball Set Details1954 Topps Baseball was distributed in three different series, including Series 1 (#1-50), Series 2 (#51-75), and Series 3 (#76-250). Although there are not any known short prints, gray backs were issued in Canada for the first series, in addition to the standard white background cards that were avaiable in the United States.Loaded with Hall of Fame talent, Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Ernie Banks are the key rookie cards in 1954 Topps Baseball. Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Duke Snider, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Jackie Robinson are other top Hall of Fame options. Although not nearly on the same level as the rookie cards referenced above, collectors can also find the rookie card for Tommy Lasorda in 1954 Topps.From a design standpoint, the 1954 Topps Baseball cards are slightly over-sized, measuring 2-5/8" by 3-3/4". For the first time ever on a Topps set, the cards include multiple photographs. The design features a colorized player portrait, as well as a black-and-white action shot. Card fronts come with a variety of colorful backgrounds, including white, yellow, light blue, green, red, orange and dark orange. The cards also display the player's name, position, team logo and facsimile signature.The back of the 1954 Topps Baseball cards provide both statistical and biographical information about the player. This includes the card number, a write-up about the player's career and a cartoon frame featuring animated photos. 1954 Topps Baseball card backs can be found with either white, black, red, green, or flesh tone color schemes.One of the most unique and frustrating quirks for collectors regarding the set is the orientation of the card backs. The 1954 Topps Baseball cards purposely do not have a white border on the top of the card. This was because the tops of the cards were lined-up against those of the next row on the printing sheet. What resulted is that half of the cards were printed upside down.Unfortunately, it appears that the press operator forgot to orient the card backs accordingly. So if you go to a card show today and thumb through a box of 1954 Topps, you'll likely find that one-half of the cards have the card number at the top and the remainder have it at the bottom. Thankfully for collectors, this is the only occurrence of such a blatant printing error.Amidst all the rivalry between Bowman and Topps to sign players to exclusive contracts, Topps landed its biggest coup when they secured the rights to produce cards of returning veteran Ted Williams. One of the game's greatest players and fan favorites, Williams' inclusion in the set proved to be a key turning point for the company in regards to market share.With a willingness to outspend its competitor, Topps laid the foundation for what would become an almost thirty-year monopoly in the baseball card market. To capitalize on their investment, Topps produced two cards of Ted Williams. Book-ending the product with card #1 and #250, these cards are often found with the same defects that plague most vintage cards to fall first or last in the set.Another interesting card option showcases twin baseball players. Eddie and Johnny O'Brien both played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1950s and were the first twins in MLB history to play for the same team in the same game. The brothers share space on card #139. While neither had very notable careers, the card maintains solid value.Despite the strong checklist in 1954 Topps Baseball, there are several glaring omissions. The battle of player exclusive contracts isn't new to the hobby and in 1954, Bowman was able to secure the baseball card rights to Mickey Mantle, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella, thereby preventing their inclusion in '54 Topps.How We Grade: Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks. Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund. Standard/Combined 1st Class Shipping via USPS is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card, with a max. of (40) items per invoice. Subject to change as postal rates continue to increase. Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase. Please see shipping tab for current postage rates. All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes. Please see all of our other ads & visit our store for some great deals on both New & Vintage cards, comics and more. Get your copy of the DC Rebirth or the All New, All Different Marvel Series before they are gone! Yes! We are always buying & accepting consignments. We are trying to establish a Brand and grow our business within the E-bay cyber world, so please Join/Follow us, you never know what we will list next, because: We are: The Toy Collector 4 U 2 C

Price: 24.95 USD

Location: Madison, Alabama

End Time: 2024-12-23T19:24:53.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.95 USD