1953 Topps Baseball Card # 124 Sibby Sisti

Description: 1953 Topps Baseball Card # 124 Sibby Sisti - Boston Braves (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.1953 Topps Baseball CardsLed by key cards for Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra and Willie Mays, 1953 Topps Baseball features a beautiful design and a checklist to match.Product DetailsThe follow-up to the famed 1952 Topps set, 1953 Topps Baseball does not match the iconic set, but is a worthy successor thanks to an attractive design and strong checklist. Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra and Willie Mays are the most popular and valuable options.1953 Topps Baseball Set DetailsThe beautiful 1953 Topps Baseball player portraits display some of the most vibrant colors and realism ever used in a trading card set to that point in time. The cards are slightly over-sized, measuring 2-5/8" x 3-3/4", with each of them resembling true miniature works of art. While every collector has their own opinion on what constitutes the "best" vintage Topps set, few can argue that 1953 is among the most beautiful in terms of sheer aesthetic value.Trouble BrewingHad it not been for a decisive legal victory for Topps, the 1953 Topps Baseball set may have not been produced. The Bowman Gum Company and it's parent company, Philadelphia-based Haelan Laboratories, originally filed a lawsuit challenging Topps over player contract violations. Fortunately for collectors, the US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case and Topps proceeded with production.Originally planned as a 280-card set, the last six cards were never printed, resulting in the 274-card set as it exists today. Much smaller than the previous year's offering of 407-cards, the Topps company was fearful of a repeat late-summer sales performance that reportedly resulted in the destruction of thousands of unsold cards in 1952.Classic DesignEach 1953 Topps Baseball card features a solid white border and displays the player's name, position, and team, along with a large team logo. In addition, the cards include one of two banner areas on the bottom of the card to house the details. American League players have a bright red banner, while National League players utilize a black version. This solid color border is often the site of the most noticeable wear as it bleeds right to the edge of the card itself.The player's 1952 and lifetime statistics are laid out on the reverse of each 1953 Topps Baseball card. Biographical player data and a short write-up are also found. Finally, each card features a "Dugout Quiz" with trivia questions and a cartoon.Complicated Series ReleaseThe entire 1953 Topps Baseball product run was released in multiple waves, including Series 1 (#1-85), Series 2 (#85-165), Series 3 (#166-220) and Series 4 (#221-280). Early set collectors would have been thoroughly confused and frustrated by the numbering system as ten of the cards from Series 1 and 2 weren't printed with the others and instead released in a later series.As if this wasn't enough to confuse unknowing collectors, several cards from Series 4 were never produced (#253, 261, 276, 268, 271, and 275). These printing issues were a result of the still-lingering problems related to player contracts and the Bowman lawsuit.Single-Prints and Double-PrintsFollowing the trend for the period and due to the size of printing sheets employed, some 1953 Topps Baseball cards were single-printed while others were double-printed. While not always a conscious effort on the part of the manufacturer, certain star player cards ended up being single-printed, resulting in scarcity and increased values for those cards.Among the notable single-print subjects are cards of Pee Wee Reese (#76), Mickey Mantle (#82), Billy Martin (#86), Yogi Berra (#104), Phil Rizzuto (#114), Warren Spahn (#147), and the high-number rookie cards of Jim Gilliam (#258) and Johnny Podres (#263).A Closer LookSimilar to many other vintage releases, the first and last cards in 1953 Topps Baseball carry a premium. Those card numbers were always the ones to suffer additional creasing and edge wear as a result of the dreaded rubber band used by children to hold their collection together. This increased value is further enhanced because card #1 is none other than legendary Hall of Fame player Jackie Robinson. While not a star player, the final subject in the set, Milt Bolling (#28), also carries a premium due to condition rarity and the fact that the card was also single-printed.Although rare, advertising panels were also distributed separately for 1953 Topps Baseball. Featuring three different uncut panels, each with three subjects, the large cards also include an ad for the product on the back.RebootIn 1991, the Topps Company reissued the 1953 Topps Baseball set as an Archives edition. This tribute is a true testament to the immense popularity of the set, still regarded as one of the most beautiful ever made. Relying on illustrations rather than photography, this under-appreciated technique has been utilized through the years by all trading card manufacturers with various art editions. However, it is the 1953 Topps Baseball set that deserves the credit for first perfecting the medium.Another homage came via Living Set Baseball, the print-to-order set without an ending point.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: 29.95 USD

Location: Madison, Alabama

End Time: 2025-01-10T18:33:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.95 USD