1961 Topps

The 1961 Topps Baseball set consists of 587 cards, each measuring 2-1/2” by 3-1/2”. With the exception of some of the specialty cards, Topps returned to a vertical format with their 1961 cards, which bear a large color photograph of the player on each card's front, with his name and team affiliation printed across the bottom. Innovations in this series include numbered checklists, cards for statistical leaders and ten “Baseball Thrills” cards. The set is anchored by League Leaders Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (#44), Stan Musial (#290), Mickey Mantle (#307) and Sandy Koufax (#344). Boasting just a small selection of rookies, including Ron Santo (#35), Billy Williams (#141) and Juan Marichal (#417), the set is better known for its absentees. The set physically numbers 587 but it numbered through 598 - no #s 426, 587 and 588 were issued. Further intrigue includes two cards numbered 463 exist (one a Braves team card and one a player card of Jack Fisher), with the Braves team card checklisted as #426. The scarce high numbers are card numbers 523-589, although the effort is one of the most highly sought-after editions of the 1960s.