CSG Certifies Incredible High-grade 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson Card
Posted on 5/8/2023
Certified Sports Guaranty® (CSG®) recently had the honor of certifying a high-grade example of one of the most iconic vintage baseball cards to ever grace the hobby. The 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson earned a grade of CSG 7.5, easily establishing a value in the five figures for what is one of the most sought-after cards on the market.
The card was also given a "Type 1" designation to indicate that it is the first version of the #312 Jackie Robinson card printed in this set. More on that below.
 |
 |
| 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson - Type 1 graded CSG 7.5 Click images to enlarge. |
|
The Robinson card is one of the highlights of the famous 1952 Topps set. The 407-card set was the largest ever created at the time of its release in the early 1950s. It features stunning images of some of the era's best baseball players. Topps used a unique design when utilizing colorized black-and-white photography for the player images. The cards also contained a facsimile signature of each player and their team's logo at the bottom.
While the series features several Hall of Famers, two cards stand above the rest. The 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle and its neighboring #312 Jackie Robinson. While the Mantle card is the most recognizable card in the set (and one of the most expensive cards in the collecting world today), the Robinson card is another standout in the series. In fact, the #312 is the first Topps-issued card to feature Jackie Robinson, adding to its popularity.
Like the Mickey Mantle card from the set, the Jackie Robinson card was double printed, meaning that two versions of these cards were printed on each sheet. To replicate a card design, the card image had to be physically cut and pasted into the second position. Because of the method used to duplicate the cards, the two “identical” cards are not truly identical, as there are slight but distinct differences between the two card designs on the sheet. These are:
| Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|
| On the stitching of the baseball surrounding the card number, the stitches point to the left and are bold. | On the stitching of the baseball surrounding the card number, the stitches point to the right and are thinner than on the Type 1. |
| The top line of text in the bio on the reverse ends with a comma. The comma aligns below the "T" in "Right" above it. | The top line of text in the bio on the reverse ends with a comma. The comma aligns below the "H" in "Right" above it. |
| On the card's front, and at the top left corner of the black border, the top border extends past the left border. | On the card's front, and at the top left corner of the black border, the top border does not extend past the left border. |
Starting with this incredible CSG 7.5 example, CSG is identifying Type 1 and Type 2 #312 Jackie Robinson cards on the CSG certification label.
Robinson was a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, but his impact on the game and American society as a whole reached far beyond the baseball diamond. The California native broke the color barrier, as he became the first Black player in Major League Baseball when he signed with Brooklyn. He helped integrate the sport, as he opened doors for future generations to play pro baseball.
Beginning in his debut MLB season, Robinson made an instant impact in Brooklyn. He won the MLB Rookie of the Year award, as he went on to become a six-time All-Star, the 1949 NL MVP and a 1955 World Series champion. As one of the greatest players in league history, and one of the most respected, Robinson is still revered for his impact to this day. That's clearly evident each season on "Jackie Robinson Day" when every player from every team wears his famous No. 42 jersey number. Robinson's on-field accomplishments also earned him a place on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Related Links:
Stay Informed
Want news like this delivered to your inbox once a month? Subscribe to the free CGC eNewsletter today!
