While this 274-card offering may be smaller in size compared to the 407-card predecessor of 1952 Topps, many would argue that these cards from '53 Topps have much better aesthetic appeal than any other in hobby history. Topps originally had plans for a 280-card set, but due to contract issues with certain players (legal issues with rival Bowman), six of the cards (#253, 261, 276, 268, 271, and 275) never made it to print. The 1953 set is a particular favorite among many collectors because of its beautiful imagery and strong lineup of baseball heroes.
Our consignor compiled this set as a labor of love since 1953 was the year he was born. Its GPA and overall PSA set rating are a strong 5.27, giving it a current ranking of #56 in the PSA Registry. Every card in the set is a PSA 4 or better other than the Mickey Mantle, which is still an eye-pleasing VG 3. For the record, we cannot find the MK qualifier on Wynn's card anywhere. Zoom in and see for yourself!
Here are the PSA grades for some of the favorites in the set: #1 Jackie Robinson VG-EX 4 (MK), #10 Smoky Burgess NM 7, #27 Roy Campanella EX 5, #37 Eddie Matthews EX-MT+ 6.5, #41 Enos Slaughter EX-MT 6, #52 Ted Gray NM-MT 8, #61 Early Wynn NM 7 (OC), #62 Monte Irvin EX-MT 6, #66 Minnie Minoso NM-MT 8, #67 Roy Sievers NM-MT 8, #77 Johnny Mize NM 7, #82 Mickey Mantle VG 3, #104 Yogi Berra VG-EX 4, #129 Keith Thomas NM 7, #147 Warren Spahn EX-MT 6, #151 Hoyt Wilhelm EX-MT 6, #191 Ralph Kiner EX-MT 6, #207 Whitey Ford EX-MT 6, #220 Satchell Paige EX-MT 6, #233 Al Aber NM-MT (OC), #244 Willie Mays VG-EX 4, #255 Dixie Howell NM 7, #265 Jensen NM-MT (OC), #277 Don Lund NM-MT 8 (OC), #278 Miranda EX-MT 6.
For your reference, here is a link to the PSA registry for this special collection of 1953 Topps!
https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/504408