1956 Topps Pins - Baseball Pin Collecting

Overview of the 1956 Topps Pins

The 1956 Topps pins feature images of the best players from the era on a unique lapel pin design. The pins are unique pieces of baseball memorabilia that, as shown by their growing popularity, capture the hearts of collectors of all types. Baseball pin collecting has been around since the sport’s early days, with players being featured on pins and pennants as early as the 1920s. After a decline in popularity, the hobby saw a resurgence in the 1950s thanks to the popularity of the 1956 Topps baseball pin set. The popularity of the set has continued to this day, with the 1956 Topps pins remaining a staple in the hobby. A variety of different 1956 Topps pins are available, ranging from the premium “Great Moments” pins to the more affordable “Regular” versions. The 1956 Topps pins are a great way to start a collection of baseball pins or add to an existing one.

History of Baseball Pin Collecting

Baseball pin collecting has been in the public consciousness since the very beginning of the sport. George Wright, one of the sport’s founding fathers, is credited with the first use of a pin to display a baseball. The Boston Red Sox shortstop used a safety pin to display a baseball with a strikeout against him by the New York pitcher. The act received widespread attention, and soon pitchers across the league were imitating Wright’s act of defacing their baseballs. The practice of marking a baseball with a pin continued for decades. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the first “baseball pin” was created. Baseball teams across the country created lapel pins as a way to generate interest in the teams. These pins were very similar to the baseball pennants that had been popular since the sport’s inception. As the popularity of baseball grew, so did the interest in lapel pins. During the 1930s, baseball pin collecting was a major part of the baseball experience. The Great Depression had a major impact on the hobby, with many collectors and baseball pin manufacturers going out of business. The hobby was almost entirely wiped out, with only a few companies continuing to produce baseball pins. Fast forward to the 1950s, and baseball pin collecting had made a comeback.

Styles of 1956 Topps Pins

The Styles of 1956 Topps Pins can be broken down into two main categories: the “Great Moments” pins and the “Regular” versions. There are also rare variations of each of these styles. First up are the “Great Moments” Pins. These are the premium version of the 1956 Topps pins and are widely considered to be the best of the lot. The “Great Moments” pins have a black background and white writing, with a red border surrounding the image. The red border signifies the “Great Moments” version, which features a rarer design than the regular black and white border 1956 Topps pins. Next up are the “Regular” Pins. The “Regular” Pins are the standard 1956 Topps pin set. The designs are exactly the same as the “Great Moments” pins, but they feature a black and white border. This border is much more common than the red border of the “Great Moments” version. Finally, there are rare variations of each of the above styles. These variations are very similar to the “Regular” pins, but they feature a border of either red or gold.

Condition Grading of 1956 Topps Pins

Like all collectibles, the condition of the 1956 Topps pins is extremely important. The condition of a pin is graded using a scale from one to ten, with one being the lowest and ten being the highest. The scale is different for each pin, and it’s important to understand how each one is graded. The “Great Moments” pins are the easiest to grade since the condition is always printed on the back of the pin. The “Regular” 1956 Topps pins are graded slightly more subjectively. When grading the condition of these pins, the collector will often look at the color, brightness, and overall wear of the pin. A 1956 Topps pin with a “10’ condition grade will look like it was just printed. A 1956 Topps pin with a “1” condition grade will be heavily worn or damaged.

Pricing of 1956 Topps Pins

The Pricing of 1956 Topps Pins will vary greatly depending on the style of pin. The “Great Moments” pins are the most expensive variations of the set, with some selling for more than $10,000! The “Regular” pins will cost significantly less, with some selling for as little as a few dollars. A collector can start a 1956 Topps pin collection on a budget, with some of the more affordable variations selling for as little as a few dollars. Collecting baseball pins is often a hobby that is enjoyed as a side pursuit by many. However, there are those that take their collecting to a whole new level, spending countless hours researching, organizing, and trading to make sure they have the most complete collection possible. These collectors can spend hours each day trying to acquire the perfect addition to their collection, so it’s important to take extra care when storing your collection to ensure that it remains in pristine condition for years to come. While there are many different types of baseball pin collectors, there are a few simple ways to help make sure that your collection stays in good condition for years to come.

Collecting Tips for 1956 Topps Pins

- Keep your pins in a dry, cool place - Humidity and heat can be very damaging to your pins over time, so make sure to keep your collection in a dry, cool place. A basement or closet is a good option for storing your pins. - Avoid direct sunlight - While it may seem like a good idea to leave your pins out in the sun occasionally so that they can get some light, it’s best to avoid doing so. Sunlight is damaging to any collectible, and your baseball pins are no exception.

- Avoid extreme temperatures - While extreme temperatures aren’t as damaging to a pin as direct sunlight, they still aren’t good for it. Extreme temperatures can cause the metal of the pin to warp, which can result in a misalignment of the image on the front of the pin.

- Keep your pins clean

- Dust and dirt can collect on and around your pins, and it’s important to clean your collection regularly to keep it in good condition.

- Avoid extreme handling - While it’s important to take good care of your pins, it’s also important to avoid handling them too much. Pins are small and can be easily dropped or knocked off a surface, which can cause damage to the image or more serious issues.

Care and Preservation of 1956 Topps Pins

- Protect your pins from damage - The best way to protect your pins is to keep them in a safe place.

- Store your pins away from extreme temperatures - Extreme temperatures can be damaging to your pins, so make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures.

- Clean your pins regularly - Dust and dirt can collect on your pins, so it’s important to keep your collection clean to avoid damage.

- Handle your pins carefully - While it’s important to take good care of your pins, it’s also important to avoid handling them too much.