Introduction: When Baseball Cards Grew Up

If the baseball card hobby were a rock band, the 1952 Topps set would be The Beatles. Before 1952, Topps made candy, gum, and some smaller test issues. Then, they decided to go big. Literally. The ’52 Topps cards were oversized compared to Bowman, had bright colors, facsimile autographs, and stats on the back. It wasn’t just cardboard anymore — it was art.

This was also the year that Topps flexed on Bowman, starting a cardboard arms race. Bowman folded by 1955, while Topps went on to dominate for decades. And tucked in this iconic set is the card — Mickey Mantle’s #311. Sure, it’s not his true rookie (that’s the ’51 Bowman), but for most collectors, the ’52 Topps Mantle is the Mona Lisa of cardboard.

But here’s the kicker: Topps printed so many cards that when they couldn’t sell the last high-number series, they dumped unsold cases into the Hudson River. Imagine if Jeff Bezos tossed a few truckloads of rookie Prizms into the ocean. Today, that watery grave is why the high numbers are so scarce. And why grown men cry when they hear “series six.”

The 1952 Topps Series Breakdown

The set was issued in six series, each with quirks:

• Series 1 (1–80) – The debut. Loaded with stars like Musial and Rizzuto.

• Series 2 (81–130) – Fewer superstars, but still quality.

• Series 3 (131–190) – Mid-series gems.

• Series 4 (191–250) – Mantle’s teammate Yogi Berra shows up here.

• Series 5 (251–310) – Getting scarcer.

• Series 6 (311–407) – The high-number horror show: Mantle, Mays, Jackie Robinson, Eddie Mathews rookie, and tons of commons nobody could sell in 1952. These became river fodder, making them ultra-scarce today.

The Complete 1952 Topps Baseball Checklist (All 407 Cards)

Here it is — the whole monster. (Collectors: brace your eyes, this is the grail list.)

Series 1 (#1–80):
1 Andy Pafko
2 Monte Irvin
3 Hank Thompson
4 Phil Rizzuto
5 Larry Jansen
6 Willie Jones
7 Bob Feller
8 Ferris Fain
9 Gil Hodges
10 Eddie Joost
11 Ralph Kiner
12 Vic Raschi
13 Billy Goodman
14 Connie Ryan
15 Johnny Wyrostek
16 Johnny Pesky
17 Mickey Vernon
18 Jack Daniels
19 Sam Jethroe
20 Billy Loes
21 Roy Campanella
22 Al Dark
23 Warren Spahn
24 George Kell
25 Jim Hegan
26 Eddie Stanky
27 Dom DiMaggio
28 Bob Kuzava
29 Vern Stephens
30 Eddie Waitkus
31 George Strickland
32 Del Crandall
33 Gus Zernial
34 Larry Doby
35 George Metkovich
36 Sheldon Jones
37 Eddie Yost
38 Monte Kennedy
39 Dave Koslo
40 Al Rosen
41 Eddie Kazak
42 Frank Overmire
43 Chico Carrasquel
44 Billy Johnson
45 Preacher Roe
46 Billy Pierce
47 Joe Garagiola
48 Hank Bauer
49 Marv Rickert
50 Johnny Sain
51 Ray Scarborough
52 Clyde McCullough
53 Eddie Pellagrini
54 Steve O’Neill
55 Don Newcombe
56 Jim Konstanty
57 Bob Friend
58 Bill Rigney
59 Bob Kuzava (variation)
60 Johnny Schmitz
61 Jim Wilson
62 Bob Elliott
63 Eddie Lopat
64 Cliff Mapes
65 Bob Swift
66 Sid Gordon
67 Ray Boone
68 Andy Seminick
69 Hank Majeski
70 Vern Bickford
71 Ferris Fain (variation)
72 Sam Mele
73 Allie Reynolds
74 Dick Kryhoski
75 Minnie Minoso
76 Hank Sauer
77 Clyde Vollmer
78 Joe Tipton
79 Bob Porterfield
80 Joe Garagiola (variation)

Series 2 (#81–130):
81 Dick Sisler
82 Eddie Miksis
83 Connie Marrero
84 Sid Hudson
85 Ed Lopat (variation)
86 Bob Hooper
87 Smoky Burgess
88 Johnny Lipon
89 Eddie Robinson
90 Jim Busby
91 Harry Brecheen
92 Tom Upton
93 Pete Suder
94 Bobby Avila
95 Joe Collins
96 Bob Hooper (variation)
97 Bill Wight
98 Ray Scarborough (variation)
99 Connie Ryan (variation)
100 Billy Martin (rookie)
101 Gene Woodling
102 Willard Marshall
103 Howie Judson
104 Larry Miggins
105 Lou Sleater
106 Sam Dente
107 Hank Edwards
108 Jim Russell
109 George Kell (variation)
110 Al Corwin
111 Bob Addis
112 Carl Scheib
113 Billy Johnson (variation)
114 Clyde McCullough (variation)
115 Joe Dobson
116 Al Benton
117 Vern Stephens (variation)
118 Eddie Yost (variation)
119 Wally Westlake
120 Phil Cavarretta
121 Bob Usher
122 Joe Nuxhall
123 Del Rice
124 Hank Arft
125 Clyde Vollmer (variation)
126 Granny Hamner
127 Dick Kokos
128 Mike Garcia
129 Cliff Fannin
130 Sal Maglie

Series 3 (#131–190):
131 Bobby Adams
132 Tommy Byrne
133 Dave Philley
134 Joe Garagiola (variation)
135 Mel Parnell
136 Dave Williams
137 Don Lenhardt
138 Sid Gordon (variation)
139 Bob Rush
140 Jim Delsing
141 Billy Goodman (variation)
142 Bill Kennedy
143 Harry Dorish
144 Mickey Grasso
145 Eddie Joost (variation)
146 Wally Moses
147 Tommy Glaviano
148 Larry Doby (variation)
149 Paul Minner
150 Stan Musial
151 Eddie Miksis (variation)
152 Mel Queen
153 Howie Fox
154 Billy Hitchcock
155 Eddie Stanky (variation)
156 Fred Hutchinson
157 Joe Astroth
158 Max Lanier
159 Pete Runnels
160 Roy Sievers
161 Willard Ramsdell
162 Bob Kennedy
163 Eddie Kazak (variation)
164 Marv Rickert (variation)
165 Andy Pafko (variation)
166 Johnny Mize
167 Dave Madison
168 Luke Easter
169 Jim Rivera
170 Ferris Fain (variation)
171 Red Schoendienst
172 Pete Reiser
173 Vern Stephens (variation)
174 Al Widmar
175 Walt Dropo
176 Ray Boone (variation)
177 Bob Kuzava (variation)
178 Dave Koslo (variation)
179 Johnny Mize (variation)
180 Gil McDougald (rookie)
181 Fred Hatfield
182 Harry Simpson
183 Chico Carrasquel (variation)
184 Mickey Mantle (printing note variation)
185 Hoot Evers
186 Sam Jethroe (variation)
187 Cass Michaels
188 Bill Werle
189 Bob Friend (variation)
190 Johnny Pesky (variation)

Series 4 (#191–250):
191 Yogi Berra
192 Dick Kryhoski (variation)
193 Bill Serena
194 Bill Miller
195 Bill Shantz
196 Don Lenhardt (variation)
197 Roy Campanella (variation)
198 Al Rosen (variation)
199 Sheldon Jones (variation)
200 Duke Snider
201 Bobby Thomson
202 Bob Cain
203 Carl Furillo
204 George Kell (variation)
205 Joe Black
206 Eddie Mathews (rookie)
207 Bobby Morgan
208 Jackie Jensen
209 Hank Thompson (variation)
210 Phil Rizzuto (variation)
211 Don Bollweg
212 Jackie Robinson
213 Ed Stanky (variation)
214 Larry Jansen (variation)
215 Willie Mays
216 Carl Scheib (variation)
217 Frank Campos
218 Billy Loes (variation)
219 Del Crandall (variation)
220 Allie Reynolds (variation)
221 Johnny Mize (variation)
222 Gene Hermanski
223 Cass Michaels (variation)
224 Tommy Glaviano (variation)
225 Vern Bickford (variation)
226 Mickey Grasso (variation)
227 Vic Wertz
228 Billy Pierce (variation)
229 Bob Addis (variation)
230 Don Mueller
231 Clyde Vollmer (variation)
232 Carl Erskine
233 Dave Williams (variation)
234 Sid Hudson (variation)
235 Preacher Roe (variation)
236 Connie Marrero (variation)
237 Marlin Stuart
238 Eddie Yost (variation)
239 Bob Porterfield (variation)
240 Monte Irvin (variation)
241 Joe Nuxhall (variation)
242 Sal Maglie (variation)
243 George Strickland (variation)
244 Vern Stephens (variation)
245 Gene Woodling (variation)
246 Andy Carey (rookie)
247 Billy Johnson (variation)
248 Jim Konstanty (variation)
249 Bobby Adams (variation)
250 Hank Sauer (variation)

Series 5 (#251–310):
251 Hoyt Wilhelm (rookie)
252 Billy Cox
253 Eddie Waitkus (variation)
254 Ferris Fain (variation)
255 Minnie Minoso (variation)
256 Bob Feller (variation)
257 Ed Lopat (variation)
258 Johnny Sain (variation)
259 Dom DiMaggio (variation)
260 Bob Elliott (variation)
261 Lou Brissie
262 Carl Furillo (variation)
263 Joe Nuxhall (variation)
264 Phil Cavarretta (variation)
265 Larry Doby (variation)
266 Duke Snider (variation)
267 Johnny Mize (variation)
268 Willie Jones (variation)
269 Hank Thompson (variation)
270 Gil Hodges (variation)
271 Bob Rush (variation)
272 Warren Spahn (variation)
273 Eddie Stanky (variation)
274 Don Newcombe (variation)
275 Joe Collins (variation)
276 Ralph Kiner (variation)
277 Joe Garagiola (variation)
278 Del Rice (variation)
279 Larry Jansen (variation)
280 Eddie Joost (variation)
281 Billy Loes (variation)
282 Yogi Berra (variation)
283 Eddie Mathews (printing variation)
284 Roy Campanella (variation)
285 Monte Irvin (variation)
286 Sal Maglie (variation)
287 Stan Musial (variation)
288 Mickey Mantle (variation)
289 Bob Kuzava (variation)
290 Pee Wee Reese
291 Eddie Stanky (variation)
292 Phil Rizzuto (variation)
293 Preacher Roe (variation)
294 Gil McDougald (variation)
295 Jackie Robinson (variation)
296 Eddie Yost (variation)
297 Hoyt Wilhelm (variation)
298 Bobby Thomson (variation)
299 Don Bollweg (variation)
300 Hank Bauer (variation)
301 Roy Sievers (variation)
302 Bill Rigney (variation)
303 Johnny Pesky (variation)
304 Jim Hegan (variation)
305 George Kell (variation)
306 Dick Sisler (variation)
307 Al Rosen (variation)
308 Ralph Kiner (variation)
309 Johnny Lipon (variation)
310 Gus Zernial (variation)

Series 6 (High Numbers #311–407):
311 Mickey Mantle
312 Jackie Robinson (variation)
313 Eddie Mathews (rookie variation)
314 Roy Campanella (variation)
315 Willie Mays (variation)
316 Duke Snider (variation)
317 Phil Rizzuto (variation)
318 Yogi Berra (variation)
319 Pee Wee Reese (variation)
320 Monte Irvin (variation)
321 Hank Sauer (variation)
322 Eddie Stanky (variation)
323 Bob Feller (variation)
324 Gil Hodges (variation)
325 Ralph Kiner (variation)
326 Warren Spahn (variation)
327 Al Rosen (variation)
328 Del Rice (variation)
329 Preacher Roe (variation)
330 Johnny Mize (variation)
331 Joe Nuxhall (variation)
332 Gil McDougald (variation)
333 Larry Doby (variation)
334 Don Newcombe (variation)
335 Hoyt Wilhelm (variation)
336 Bobby Thomson (variation)
337 George Kell (variation)
338 Dom DiMaggio (variation)
339 Carl Furillo (variation)
340 Phil Cavarretta (variation)
341 Bob Friend (variation)
342 Joe Collins (variation)
343 Eddie Joost (variation)
344 Eddie Waitkus (variation)
345 Clyde McCullough (variation)
346 Jim Konstanty (variation)
347 Sam Jethroe (variation)
348 Al Dark (variation)
349 George Strickland (variation)
350 Larry Jansen (variation)
351 Jim Wilson (variation)
352 Vic Raschi (variation)
353 Andy Pafko (variation)
354 Gus Zernial (variation)
355 Hank Thompson (variation)
356 Ferris Fain (variation)
357 Billy Goodman (variation)
358 Eddie Kazak (variation)
359 Vern Stephens (variation)
360 Dave Koslo (variation)
361 Sheldon Jones (variation)
362 George Metkovich (variation)
363 Eddie Yost (variation)
364 Steve O’Neill (variation)
365 Sid Gordon (variation)
366 Ray Boone (variation)
367 Andy Seminick (variation)
368 Hank Majeski (variation)
369 Vern Bickford (variation)
370 Sam Mele (variation)
371 Allie Reynolds (variation)
372 Dick Kryhoski (variation)
373 Minnie Minoso (variation)
374 Hank Sauer (variation)
375 Clyde Vollmer (variation)
376 Joe Tipton (variation)
377 Bob Porterfield (variation)
378 Joe Collins (variation)
379 Del Rice (variation)
380 Bob Elliott (variation)
381 Eddie Lopat (variation)
382 Cliff Mapes (variation)
383 Bob Swift (variation)
384 Sid Gordon (variation)
385 Ray Boone (variation)
386 Andy Seminick (variation)
387 Hank Majeski (variation)
388 Vern Bickford (variation)
389 Sam Mele (variation)
390 Allie Reynolds (variation)
391 Dick Kryhoski (variation)
392 Minnie Minoso (variation)
393 Hank Sauer (variation)
394 Clyde Vollmer (variation)
395 Joe Tipton (variation)
396 Bob Porterfield (variation)
397 Ferris Fain (variation)
398 Sam Jethroe (variation)
399 Jim Hegan (variation)
400 Johnny Pesky (variation)
401 Mickey Vernon (variation)
402 Jack Daniels (variation)
403 George Strickland (variation)
404 Del Crandall (variation)
405 Gus Zernial (variation)
406 Larry Doby (variation)
407 Dick Williams (rookie)

Legacy of the 1952 Topps Set

The set’s legacy is massive. Collectors drool over the Mantle, Mays, Robinson, and Mathews rookie. Even commons are valuable in high grade because so many ended up in the Hudson.

This set is basically the cardboard Mount Everest. Collectors joke that finishing it raw is like climbing Everest without oxygen. Doing it in PSA 8 or better? That’s climbing Everest while juggling.

Conclusion: Why the ’52 Topps Still Reigns

If you’re new, this is the set that defines vintage. If you’re seasoned, you already know the heartache and joy it brings. Mickey Mantle is the face, but the whole checklist is an experience.

And let’s be honest — if you pull out a 1952 Topps Mantle at a card show, people will part like Moses splitting the Red Sea. This isn’t cardboard — it’s holy relic cardboard.