1961 Topps Hank Aaron AS

1961 Topps Hank Aaron AS PSA 9
Our Sale Price (9/12) - $1200
eBay (2/12) - $610

THE GAP: 197%  

Consign your cards with us. Email us today!

Top 10 Investment Vintage Rookie Cards

Rookie cards are the crown jewel of collecting. Naturally, the best rookie cards belong to Hall of Fame players. Here is our list of best investment rookie cards for your money (all under $1000 each).

1) 1948-49 Leaf Jackie Robinson: No one changed the game like Jackie. Both as a presence on and off the field. Buy one of these and you'll feel like you're starting a museum.

2) 1948 Bowman Yogi Berra: His phrases are famous, but his play was even better. A three time MVP and a record 10 World Series Rings. A true baseball icon.

3) 1954 Topps Ernie Banks: Mr. Cub's rookie from this beautiful set. He represents the spirit of the Cubs more than any other player.

4) 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax: A short career, but completely dominant. The "left arm of God," as referred to by those who faced him.

5) 1954 Topps Hank Aaron: The All-Time Home Run King! No steroids. Enough said.

6) 1957 Topps Frank Robinson: The only player to win an MVP in both leagues. Robinson would also become baseball's first African-American Manager.

7) 1958 Topps Roger Maris: Although he's not a Hall of Famer, Maris was pure Yankee class. His 61 homeruns in 1961 continue to have meaning in light of today's steroids scandals.

8) 1963 Topps Pete Rose: Although Rose ruined his reputation after he played, the All-Time Hits Leader's cards continue to maintain a steady value. He will never be forgotten by fans who recall his amazing longevity and love for the game.

9) 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan: Ryan is larger than life. Over 5,700 strikouts and a record 7 No-Hitters! Collecting the Ryan Express' Rookie card is a true investment.

10) 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson: The rookie card of "Mr. October" continues to be a favorite among collectors.

1956 Topps Baseball Cards

The 1956 Topps set is an exciting set to collect. Topps purchased rival Bowman after the 1955 season and brought all the Bowman-contracted players to Topps. Thus, the 1956 Topps set contains 340 cards and an incredible 34 Hall of Fame players! Although Stan Musial’s contract with Rawlings prevented his inclusion, many other notable Hall of Famers are included: Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Ted Williams, and many more!

The 1956 Topps baseball card set features dual images in a horizontal format. Because Topps possessed only one part-time photographer on its payroll, the company used some of the same player portraits as in the 1955 Topps set. The cards measure 2-5/8” x 3-3/4” and have three-panel cartoons on the back portraying significant moments in the player’s career along with statistics below and biographical information above.

The 1956 Topps Baseball Card Set is the first to include team cards as part of the set and there are two unnumbered checklist cards. Six of the team cards (Cubs, Phillies, Indians, Braves, Reds, and Orioles) were issued with the team names plus dates, or with the team names to the left, with either white or gray backs, or with team names centered with both back colors. Duplicates of team cards were easy to part with via flipping or bike spoke noise enhancers; therefore, given the lesser quantities of each of the varieties, and the fact that the cards were not highly treasured, putting together high grade sets with all the team card variations is a significant challenge.

Both Yankees and Dodgers team cards are also highly valued, selling for several hundred dollars in top grades. A master set contains cards #1-180 either white or gray backed, two unnumbered checklists, 15 additional team varieties (including the white and gray cardboard versions), plus cards #181 to 320. Therefore, there are 537 cards, not counting the print-flawed varieties, that can be collected.

The most popular card in the set is #135 Mickey Mantle. This beautiful version of the Mick represents his Triple Crown MVP season, when he batted .353, slugged 52 homeruns, and drove in 130 RBI. Also, popular from this set are #240 Whitey Ford, the American League E.R.A. leader, #31 Hank Aaron, the National League Batting Champion, #332 Don Larsen, winner of the only Perfect Game in World Series history, and #30 Jackie Robinson, his last card (after the season, Robinson would be traded to the New York Giants. Rather than play for his rival team, Robinson decided to retire).

Other players of note who appeared on the first Topps cards in 1956 were Luis Aparicio, Rookie of the Year, Don Larsen, Don Newcombe, Herb Score, Elston Howard, Lew Burdette, and Frank Torre.

Purchase 1956 Topps Cards Here!