Card front
Interesting that Phil's 20-word bio uses both diminutive and 5'6" prior to honoring his 1950 MVP award. Topps clearly wanted to give kids a visual impression of the Scooter, which would contrast strongly in stature and technique with modern counterparts like 6' 3" Alex Rodriguez.
Card back
Topps printed two 52-player collections of Doubles in 1951, hinged together and folded at a perforated top edge. Collectors and reference books call them Red Backs and Blue Backs, with the former printed in larger numbers. Its design won't blow you away, but low-grade versions remain an affordable way to get into older cards. (Most stars are cheaper in these sets than, say, 1952.)
Value: My VG card cost $15 in 2003 and might be more now. Yankee fans (and collectors) love Rizzuto, but his cards remain a level below superstars like Mantle and Ruth.
Fakes / reprints: Topps reprinted star players from these Red and Blue Backs and adopted its design for other throwback releases, but I haven't seen any fakes of the originals in the marketplace.
1 comment:
I found a stack of these 'red & blues' (about 80)in between the floors of a warehouse not the best of condition most are still hinged, along with some 1951 connie macks punch out cards. as well as a full sheet of topps cards 'uncut' but very damaged. i guess they made then there.
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