1956 Topps Baseball White vs. Grey backs

Teemu

Hello Collectors,

I started the 1956 Topps Baseball set this past summer and was wondering if someone could help me on advice for this set?

For the cards which have both variations of back colors, should you collect both backs? If not, which is the more desired? I understand the white backs for #'s 101-180 sell for a premium according to SMR, but which is the correct way to collect the set? Is it acceptable to have half white and half grey or when one collects this set, do they stick to one back color?

I appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Tom

benderbroeth

i go both ways...










































insert bad joke here...

benderbroeth

as far as my set i am putting together as in my previuse post to me i like the white backs better, but if the price is lower i go for the grey backs, as for putting a set together i dont think most collectors care to much either way..i know i don't

perkdog

I used to own a bunch of '56 Topps and I always prefered the Grey Backs.

jeff8877

Tom...I dont think it really matters which you go after. I concentrate on what the front looks like and dont really care which back its in. I have also not really seen a premium paid for either back.

Are you collecting raw or graded?

Jeff

Estil

Are the other cards grey or white back? Personally I'd go with that just to be consistent throughout.

jeff8877

Cards 1 - 180 come in either white or gray back. Cards beyond 180 are all gray back only.

Jeff

1960toppsguy

The gray backs have brighter photos with more vivid color as a whole.

mmsportscards

Teemu-

Ive owned both variations in 56 the whites from 101-180 dont come up much and if they come up in bulk they sell for a prem. Usually ones and twos will slip through the cracks raw for decent prices at times. They rarely come up though I was looking for upgrades for 3 yrs raw and maybe saw 20 cards in 3yrs so i grew restless and bailed.

The whites are very condition sensitive, the stock is brittle.

WinPitcher

I don't think it really matters, collect what pleases you.


Steve

Estil

<< <i>The gray backs have brighter photos with more vivid color as a whole. >>



Plus the gray backs are the "standard back" it seems and like another person said, the white stock is more brittle. So it looks like gray backs are the way to go. At least that's how I personally would do it.

So how are you going to build the set? All raw? All graded? Or only the key cards graded? If so, what grade are you going for?

TWINRON

Topps started the 1st Series (1-100) with gray backs, then pre-midway in the print run switched to an off-white stock. (i.e. gray backs have 10% premium)

They continued with the off-white stock in the 2nd Series (101-180), then quickly moved back to the gray backs. (i.e. white backs have a 50% premium).

They continued with gray backs for the remaining Series.

I have found the 101-180 white backs scarce and in low grade, so I sold the few that I had, and concentrated on both gray and white backs for 1-100 only.

Consequently, MY Master Set has 460 cards vis a vis the PSA Registry Master Set of 354 cards. (In time maybe PSA with add the 460-card set as another "Master Set 2" ???)