1955 Topps Hocus Focus (Including Previously unknown examples!)

jasoneggert · December 31, 2010 10:00AM

Hey guys, been a while since I posted on here. I just picked up an interesting lot of 1956 Topps Hocus Focus that included Jackie Robinson to add to my PC.

I have not been able to find out much on what these are. From what I have seen online they are pretty rare. I only see a few on eBay and those are not baseball but non-sport.

Does anybody know anything about these? Value? I know these are pretty rough, but I did not pay much for the lot, so I am sure I did OK.

Thanks,

Jason

wrestlingcardking · December 31, 2010 10:21AM

i think that you did good, they are tough to find.

Dialj · December 31, 2010 7:25PM

Below is the information fromthe 2009 Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards 18th Edition. I hope this helps and congratulations on you find.

1956 Topps Hocus Focus

Following its 1955 issue with a somewhat larger format (1" x 1-5/8") the following year, the baseball players in this set are part of a larger overall series covering several topical areas. Cards backs specify an issue of 18 baseball stars. The black-and-white photos on these cards were developed by wetting the card’s surface and exposing to light. Prices below are for cards with well-developed pictures. Cards with poorly developed photos are worth significantly less. 1956 Topps Pins One of Topps first specialty issues, the 60-pin set of ballplayers issued in 1956 contains a high percentage of bigname stars which, combined with the scarcity of the pins, makes collecting a complete set xtremely challenging. Compounding the situation is the fact that some pins are seenfar less often than others, though the reason is unknown. Chuck Stobbs, Hector Lopez and Chuck Diering are unaccountably scarce. Measuring 1-1/8" in diameter, the pins utilize the same portraits found on 1956 Topps baseball cards. The photos are set against a solid color background. Thepins were sold in a box picturing the Ted Williams pin, with a piece of bubblegum for five cents.

NM EX VG
Complete Set (18): 7,000 3,500 2,100
Common Player: 220.00 110.00 66.00
1 Dick Groat 225.00 110.00 65.00
2 Ed Lopat 425.00 210.00 125.00
3 Hank Sauer 225.00 110.00 65.00
4 “Dusty” Rhodes 225.00 110.00 65.00
5 Ted Williams 1,600 800.00 480.00
6 Harvey Haddix 225.00 110.00 65.00
7 Ray Boone 225.00 110.00 65.00
8 Al Rosen 250.00 125.00 75.00
9 Mayo Smith 225.00 110.00 65.00
10 Warren Spahn 550.00 275.00 165.00
11 Jim Rivera 225.00 110.00 65.00
12 Ted Kluszewski 450.00 225.00 135.00
13 Gus Zernial 225.00 110.00 65.00
14 Jackie Robinson 1,350 675.00 400.00
15 Hal Smith 225.00 110.00 65.00
16 Johnny Schmitz 225.00 110.00 65.00
17 “Spook” Jacobs 225.00 110.00 65.00
18 Mel Parnell 225.00 110.00 65.00

bishop · January 1, 2011 12:37AM

Topps first baseball issue was the baseball subset ( 19) of the 1948 Magic Photos. They followed with the 1955 and 1956 Hocus Focus issues, which were also subsets of larger issues. The 56 set is doable but tough. The 55 set is really hard. I have only been able to get 6 of them so far. It is extremely hard to find any of the 3 sets in top condition because they were hand cut and "personally" developed, often poorly. Also, while the 48 and 56 checklists are pretty set ( !8 for 56), the 55 checklist, presumably at 23 is spotty with some blanks

jasoneggert · January 1, 2011 1:31AM

Dialj: Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I was looking for!

-Jason

jasoneggert · January 1, 2011 8:06AM

Do you have any info on the 1955 series? I think what I have might be from 1955, as the card numbers do not correspond to the list above, and the cards are not 1" wide but are 7/8 inch wide.

The Ted Kluszewski cards says #79, and Photo No. 14 of 23 BASEBALL STARS.

The Robinson is #16 of 23.

Thanks for your help!

otwcards · January 1, 2011 9:18AM

The Hocus Focus cards pictured above ARE 1955. The Robinson, in FR to GD condition (which yours appears to be) would have a retail value around $500-$750. Based upon the condition, the lot you have is probably worth anywhere from $1000-1500 depending upon what you could squeeze out of Jackie and Klu...

justmichael · January 1, 2011 9:19AM

Good luck getting away with the nickname "Spook" nowadays.It is amazing what was socially acceptable in those days.

jasoneggert · January 1, 2011 9:46AM

<< The Hocus Focus cards pictured above ARE 1955. The Robinson, in FR to GD condition (which yours appears to be) would have a retail value around $500-$750. Based upon the condition, the lot you have is probably worth anywhere from $1000-1500 depending upon what you could squeeze out of Jackie and Klu... >>

That is sweet!

Dialj · January 1, 2011 11:21PM

Here is the info on the 1955; hope it helps.

1955 Topps Hocus Focus

This set is a direct descendant of the 1948 “Topps Magic
Photo” issue. Again, the baseball players were part of a larger
overall series covering several topical areas. The cards, 7/8"
x 1-3/8", state on the back that they are a series of 23, though
only 14 are known. The photos on these cards were developed
by wetting the card’s surface and exposing to light. Prices
below are for cards with well- developed pictures. Cards with
poorly developed photos are worth significantly less.

NM EX VG
Common Player: 255.00 125.00 76.00
1 Babe Ruth 3,500 1,750 1,000
2 Lou Gehrig 3,500 1,750 1,000
3 Dick Groat 275.00 135.00 80.00
4 Ed Lopat 400.00 200.00 120.00
5 Hank Sauer 250.00 125.00 75.00
6 “Dusty” Rhodes 250.00 125.00 75.00
7 Ted Williams 1,950 975.00 585.00
8 Harvey Haddix 250.00 125.00 75.00
9 Ray Boone 250.00 125.00 75.00
10 Al Rosen 450.00 225.00 135.00
11 Unknown
12 Warren Spahn 600.00 300.00 180.00
13 Jim Rivera 250.00 125.00 75.00
14 Ted Kluszewski 600.00 300.00 180.00
15 Gus Zernial 250.00 125.00 75.00
16 Jackie Robinson 1,750 875.00 525.00
17 Unknown
18 Johnny Schmitz 250.00 125.00 75.00
19 Unknown
20 Karl Spooner 275.00 135.00 80.00
21 Ed Mathews 600.00 300.00 180.00
22 Unknown
23 Unknown

HeritageAddict · January 1, 2011 11:34PM

I'd say you did very good, nice addition to your pc! Those are kind of neat looking, what do the backs look like? Love the Haddix.

Dialj · January 1, 2011 11:53PM

The "Spook" Jacobs, Hal Smith, and Mel Parnell are definately from the 56 set because they are not in the 55 set (unless they are one of the unknowns). Thanks for email.

James

jasoneggert · January 2, 2011 9:05AM

<< I'd say you did very good, nice addition to your pc! Those are kind of neat looking, what do the backs look like? Love the Haddix. >>

Here is scan of the backs (- the Robinson)

jasoneggert · January 2, 2011 9:08AM

<< The "Spook" Jacobs, Hal Smith, and Mel Parnell are definately from the 56 set because they are not in the 55 set (unless they are one of the unknowns). Thanks for email.

James >>

They are all from the 1955 set and those are some of the unknown numbers (see scan above)

This is probably one of the most exciting moments in my time collecting. I have never "discovered" previously unknown cards before.

Thanks for all the info guys!

-Jason

Toro · January 2, 2011 9:22AM

So for clarification, you have 3 unknown cards from the 55 set? That's sweet! Slab em and Mastro em!

jasoneggert · January 2, 2011 9:34AM

<< So for clarification, you have 3 unknown cards from the 55 set? That's sweet! Slab em and Mastro em! >>

I found a blog entry by Bob Lemke from 2009 that 3 of the 5 missing had been found, including the Spook Jacobs, I contacted Bob yesterday and the Hal Smith, and Mel Parnell still had not been found, so I emailed him scans and he posted a blog entry today about them.

Final 1955 Hocus Focus Found

I just put the Ted Kluszewski up on eBay to test the waters of the interest of these cards. It is kind of hard to figure out a strategy for these. They are not extremely popular, but they are extremely rare. I mean before I found them, 2 were still unknown! I think I will try and find different boards where people have shown any interest in these cards and or these players and let them know I have them and that they are up for sale on ebay. Not sure i want to go the major auction route, just don't see the upside to that.

Ted Kluszewski EBAY LISTING

-Jason

Toro · January 2, 2011 10:51AM

If you need money fast, eBay them.....for that one unknown that you have...call a major auction house and have PSA slab it then let them do the work to find the buyers.

NickM · January 4, 2011 6:03AM

The uncatalogued items belong in a major auction, which will get you the strong publicity for rare card specialists that they deserve. REA will be in a few months. Goodwin has a good reputation with this sort of material. Also consider Brockelman & Luckey.

Nick

jasoneggert · January 4, 2011 6:09AM

<< The uncatalogued items belong in a major auction, which will get you the strong publicity for rare card specialists that they deserve. REA will be in a few months. Goodwin has a good reputation with this sort of material. Also consider Brockelman & Luckey.

Nick >>

I have put them up on eBay. I have almost nothing invested in these, so whatever they get is ok. Selling just one card has already paid for the lot for me, which really means i got a rare Jackie Robinson card for free!

I will let the next guy put them in a major auction if they want.

eBay Auction for previously unknown cards

frankhardy · January 4, 2011 7:05AM

<< 

I have put them up on eBay. I have almost nothing invested in these, so whatever they get is ok. Selling just one card has already paid for the lot for me, which really means i got a rare Jackie Robinson card for free!

>>

Selling one card for the price of the entire lot - THAT IS SOOOOO WRONG! How dare you!

jasoneggert · January 4, 2011 7:21AM

<< 

<< 

I have put them up on eBay. I have almost nothing invested in these, so whatever they get is ok. Selling just one card has already paid for the lot for me, which really means i got a rare Jackie Robinson card for free!

>>

Selling one card for the price of the entire lot - THAT IS SOOOOO WRONG! How dare you!

>>

I know. I got very lucky when i bought this lot. I had no idea whatsoever what I was buying. I really only wanted the Robinson and the guy basically threw in the rest of the cards. It was only after I got them did I start to do some research and realized what I really had! This will most likely be my best find ever. That is why I wanted you to make an offer, as i really had no clue what the market for these really was. I guess i will find out when my current auctions end. So far they have not gotten a lot of bids but do have a lot of watchers.

-Jason

jasoneggert · January 5, 2011 8:09AM

Today my find was covered in an article on SportsCollectorsDaily.com:

1955 Topps Hocus Focus 2 new cards found

-Jason

frankhardy · January 5, 2011 9:09AM

<< Today my find was covered in an article on SportsCollectorsDaily.com:

1955 Topps Hocus Focus 2 new cards found

-Jason >>

Cool story. Maybe it will get you some publicity. Can't wait to get my Haddix. It will probably be the rarest card I own. Thanks for making it available.

HeritageAddict · January 6, 2011 2:23AM

Sorry I missed the Haddix, but glad it is at least going to a Cardinals collector. Congrats on the Klu, $676 very nice.

jasoneggert · January 6, 2011 2:34AM

<< Sorry I missed the Haddix, but glad it is at least going to a Cardinals collector. Congrats on the Klu, $676 very nice. >>

I am in complete shock. I watched the end of the auction tick down and was pretty happy it was getting $76 and then boom - $676! I almost fell down! I may have let that Haddix go for too cheap, but , as you said, at least it is going to a good collector.

SlAt · January 6, 2011 2:46AM

Congrats Jason,

How many watchers did it have?

-John

jasoneggert · January 6, 2011 2:57AM

<< Congrats Jason,

How many watchers did it have?

-John >>

It had 30 watchers. My other auction has 31.

This has been the thrill of my collecting life!

HeritageAddict · January 6, 2011 3:17AM

It's nice to hit a homerun every now and then, just think how many Jackie additions you are going to be able to make to your set!

rip8cp1 · January 6, 2011 3:37AM

Have you thought about getting those signed?

www.chrispottersports.com

jasoneggert · January 6, 2011 3:42AM

<< Have you thought about getting those signed?

www.chrispottersports.com >>

Nope, they are all going on eBay except for the Robinson. I only collect Jackie.

frankhardy · January 6, 2011 4:12AM

Just saw the hammer price on the Kluszewski! Way to go! Awesome. I was watching it. I'm watching the 2 "unknowns" too.

I know exactly how you feel too on hitting the jackpot. I hit the jackpot about 3 months ago on a stack of 16 1954 Dan Dees. I got them graded and made 6 times my money.

jasoneggert · January 6, 2011 9:35AM

The Smith and Parnell are already up over $200, with about a day and half to go! 35 people watching.

Piggs · January 6, 2011 4:05PM

Good luck with the auction Jason. Did you find the cards in the Northwest? Love the stories behind them, learned something new today with that set. Thanks

jasoneggert · January 7, 2011 1:32AM

UPDATE: The Smith and Parnell are up over $338, with one day to go! 44 people watching

frankhardy · January 7, 2011 8:52AM

Jason,

Got the Haddix this afternoon. I am very pleased. It is better developed than my 1956.

Also, I don't think this has been mentioned. You showed a #22 Spook Jacobs. Surely, you've thought about this, but that one may break the bank too. Here's why - that card was one of the previously unknown cards that Bob Lemke mentioned in his blog. In other words, there is only one other known Jacobs in the world. Plus, yours is in much better condition than the one on Bob's blog. Just FYI.

jasoneggert · January 7, 2011 8:59AM

<< Jason,

Got the Haddix this afternoon. I am very pleased. It is better developed than my 1956.

Also, I don't think this has been mentioned. You showed a #22 Spook Jacobs. Surely, you've thought about this, but that one may break the bank too. Here's why - that card was one of the previously unknown cards that Bob Lemke mentioned in his blog. In other words, there is only one other known Jacobs in the world. Plus, yours is in much better condition than the one on Bob's blog. Just FYI. >>

Glad you like the card! Yeah, i was thinking the Spook might generate some interest also. I plan an putting the others up on eBay this weekend.

-Jason

jasoneggert · January 8, 2011 1:49AM

UPDATE: The Smith and Parnell are up over $630.

1 Hour to go!

51 people watching

frankhardy · January 8, 2011 2:33AM

$798! I will be on my way home when it ends. I will probably call my wife to have her update me.

justmichael · January 8, 2011 2:41AM

Why didn't you run separate auctions on the 2 unknowns to maximize your sale price?By the way congrats on one hell of a find.

MULLINS5 · January 8, 2011 2:43AM

<< Why didn't you run separate auctions on the 2 unknowns to maximize your sale price?By the way congrats on one hell of a find. >>

I don't think it would have mattered.

itzagoner · January 8, 2011 2:54AM

Vintageismygame · January 8, 2011 2:54AM

Very nice ending to that auction!!

Matt

MULLINS5 · January 8, 2011 2:55AM

Olberman needs these cards.

123Slider · January 8, 2011 2:56AM

Love that action. Great job!

Bigjohn69 · January 8, 2011 2:56AM

nice result,, congrats,, bj

Piggs · January 8, 2011 2:56AM

Nice job Jason, my wife and I watched the seconds tick away. The last second was the best. Wow! Congrats

bking · January 8, 2011 3:00AM

You da man !!!!!!!!

Toro · January 8, 2011 3:06AM

Jason, amazing find and amazing price. Looks like you can add another Jackie rookie to your collection now or even better, an autograph.

bishop · January 8, 2011 3:10AM

Someone must have been temporarily.... or permanently insane

Griffins · January 8, 2011 3:18AM

<< Someone must have been temporarily.... or permanently insane >>

certifiably, but they're going to a good home!

itzagoner · January 8, 2011 3:20AM

free of pinholes.

1955 Topps Hocus Focus (Including Previously unknown examples!)

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