About 1959 Topps Baseball

Topps seminal 1959 set kicked off the modern era of cards as we know it. This set had a whopping 572 cards and would set the tone for Topps series for decades.

This set is a popular hit with today's collectors due to its affordability. Set in top condition can be tough due to the typical quality control issues of the era. The short-print high-number series is particularly difficult to find in top shape - if you can find them at all. Compounding the scarcity and condition issues is that this short-print release was issued on a flimsy stock that is much more easily damaged. All of the high numbers have white backs. Don't be fooled - the high numbers begin at #507.

The set is beautiful and builds on the groundwork of the previous year. The improvement is striking. With great photography and a facsimile signature, each card looks like a matted and signed photo.

The set also features many great managers - Dick Williams, Sparky Anderson, Whitey Herzog, Casey Stengel - to name a few. Key cards include the Bob Gibson rookie, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron, and many more. 

The set is also a personal favorite of mine among all of Topps releases.

Shipping

For single cards and small lots over $20, I ship a first class package, typically within one business day of your purchase. Single cards are shipped in a top loader or card saver and placed between two slabs of cardboard. They will generally come in a manila catalog envelope. Small lots (less than 10 cards) over $20 will typically be shipped with the top card in a top loader and the rest of the cards behind it, secured in a plastic bag. This bundle is then secured between two slabs of cardboard and placed in a manila catalog envelope.

Medium-sized and larger lots over $20 may be shipped several ways depending on their size. Medium sized lots will often be bagged and placed in small stacks between two slabs of cardboard. These will typically arrive in a manila catalog envelope. Larger lots may arrive as a first-class package in a box or in a priority flat rate padded envelope. Either way these will be secured snugly in a cardboard box for the ride.

Single cards and lots under $20 that qualify will arrive in the ebay standard envelope. Single cards will be placed in a top loader and wrapped in a sheet of paper. Your card will arrive in a plain white envelope. Qualifying lots are bagged in small stacks and placed between two pieces of box board. These cards will arrive in a plain white envelope or manila catalog envelope. The ebay standard envelope provides tracking.

I strive to make your cards easy to remove from the packaging, but also secure for shipping. I have shipped thousands of packages securely using these packaging methods for going on 20 years. You may note that I use the words “usually” and “typically” throughout. Due to the unique nature of the lots and products, there may be times where I have to deviate slightly from the box or envelope used to accommodate the purchase.

Grading

In general, I try not to assign a grade to cards because it’s not an exact science that is open to interpretation. However, sometimes I feel compelled to do so given the nature of the lot. This grade should be taken only as a rough guideline. Please base your purchasing decisions on your review of the photos and not the grade I assign. In the case I do assign a grade, I use the following guidelines:

Mint – I’ll probably never call an ungraded card mint.

Near Mint – A truly outstanding example. 60/40 centering or better. Near-perfect corners. No other flaws.

Excellent MT – Corners can have minor to moderate wear. No significant surface, edge or printing issues. Centering should be 80/20 or better. No other major problems on the card.

Excellent – A decent mid-grade card. Centering 90/10 or better. Corners can have moderate wear but are not rounded. No creasing or other major flaws are present.

VG/EX – Borders on mid and lower grade. Corners show wear and may have slight rounding. No major creases, writing, pinholes or serious damage. This card can be way off center, but not miscut.

Very Good – A good solid card that is lower grade. This card maintains good eye appeal but may have some creasing. The card could be miscut of other flaws are not present.

Good – This is a low-grade card. The card has significant flaws that hurt the appeal. It may have writing, pin holes, severe creasing, etc. The whole card is intact, but that’s about all it has going for it.

Fair – This is a completely beat card that could serve as a filler

Poor – Can have anything and everything described above. Entire card is not intact.

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