Card front
The card itself sacrificed everything for some fairly sharp corners. Paper loss, glue marks, and tape residue? Check, check, and check. I'm tempted to get a ball-point pen and complete Mr. Mays' look with a "NOW A MET" update.
Card back
Topps leaned on the Say Hey Kid's popularity with 3 different cards in the 1958 set. Along with #5, he co-starred with Duke Snider (#436, "Rival Fence Busters") and as a Sport Magazine All-Star (#486). I remain a little disappointed with 1958's design, given all the solid-color backgrounds and frequent sub-par posing. Think of the great 1956 design, 1957's good stab at full-color photos, and then compare it to these selections.
- 16 - Charley "Low Ceiling" Neal
- 33 - Cal "The Horror" Neeman
- 229 - Frank "The Brow" Zupo
Something about the one-note design set a low ceiling and lessened the chance to include any really great cards. Aaron and Mantle on #418 is pretty nice, but why is it vertical instead of horizontal? It's like sticking Baby in a corner. Overall, the overuse of close-up shots, omission of stadium backgrounds, and indistinct team photos place this release lowest on Topps' 1950s totem pole. I say, "Hey, let's look at that 1956 set again."
3 comments:
Mr. Zupo has one SERIOUS brow there! I agree that the '58 set is the weakest of the 1950s, but I'd still like to have 'em! :)
However, worst set of the '50's still qualifies as pretty awesome compared to say, the late 1980's. I see your point, though. And, the Mays is awesome in any condition!
True, don't want to be dismissive of a great era for cards; it's like picking the least attractive supermodel!
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