Topps made a strong statement by opening their classic, art-focused 1953 baseball set with the smiling face of Jackie Robinson, fresh off one of his best seasons at the plate and field. Sy Berger's team at Topps made it clear that specific numbers would show special recognition for the men in those spots, starting with the top at #1. The legendary Ted Williams captured #1 for 1954, World Series hero Dusty Rhodes took it for 1955, and so on. In his way, Jackie set another standard that continues today, any time collectors talk about who deserves to hold a set's first spot, #100, #500, and so on.

This card impresses as much today in its PSA NM-MT 8 holder as when it first came from a 1953 pack, with Jackie's energetic smile framed by impressionist Brooklyn stands and the clear blue skies of an afternoon game. It'll raise the bar for most any collection that contains such an example, as its wonderful centering, surfaces, and borders help you almost smell the gum it was packed with. (Perhaps PSA will one day add a "fresh gum" scent to its best vintage grades.) It's a card worth returning to again and again as something almost perfect in composition and condition. Those seeking details to the contrary will find very light corner touches and minor whitening along its lower right edge, a detail that follows any vintage set with black borders.

On the flip side, its bright, detailed, and well-centered reverse recounts Jackie's many achievements, and that "dugout quiz" hints at how 19th Century players were remembered in the 1950s, a time few young collectors would know much about. (Experts today can debate which mustachioed lefty fits its cartoon best!)

Of thousands graded, Jackie's PSA population report shows just 11 higher than this NM-MT 8, placing it within a sliver of a percent of all those encased. It will prove challenging indeed to improve on this luminous look, almost as hard as trying to better Jackie on the field!

Size: medium
Condition: yes