1961 Topps Baseball Card Partial Set Incl. Mickey Mantle AS, Juan Marichal RC 576/587

The most ambitious production yielded by Topps to date was their baseball creation of 1961. As it’s emerged, their 587-card issue is a challenge even for determined collectors – especially in finalizing the scarcer last series cards.

A splendid rendering of that effort is here presented with a partial set of 576/587 cards. The condition composite is low-to-mid-grade. The partial set features its perks and does feature the Hall of Fame rookie cards for Juan Marichal and Ron Santo. Also included in this partial set as highlights are high number MVP cards of Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle as well as All-Star cards of Brooks Robinson, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford etc.

This set is missing the following (11) cards which we must mention: Nellie Fox #30; Eddie Mathews #120; Billy Williams (RC) #141; Willie Mays #150; Whitey Ford #160; Carl Yastrzemski #287; Mickey Mantle #300; Ernie Banks #350; Dallas Green #359; Hank Aaron #415 and Yogi Berra #425.

Given the number of cards included, it should not be too shocking that errors and variations are prevalent in 1961 Topps Baseball. In addition to three versions of checklist #98, there are actually two cards for #463, with both Jack Fisher and the Milwaukee Braves sharing the spot on the checklist. The Milwaukee card was intended to occupy #426. As a result, there is no card #426. There are also gaps in the checklist at #587 and #588, putting the full checklist at 587 cards.

Roger Maris also makes an appearance in this collection, “as many fans will remember, 1961 was the year of the original home run chase, with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris battling it out to break Babe Ruth’s long-held, single-season record for home runs. Maris ultimately hit 61 dingers, establishing the new record, while injuries derailed Mantle, who finished at 54.”