1952 Topps #41 Bob Wellman
1952 Topps #41 Bob Wellman
About Bob Wellman
Robert Joseph Wellman (July 15, 1925 - December 20, 1994) was a 6-foot-4 right-handed outfielder and first baseman from Norwood, Ohio, whose card #41 in the landmark 1952 Topps set stands as his only major mainstream issue. Wellman reached the big leagues with Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics, debuting on September 23, 1948, and returning for a brief look in 1950; those two trials were his entire major-league career. Across just 15 games he batted .280 (7-for-25) with one home run and one RBI, the homer coming off Boston Red Sox lefty Mel Parnell on April 23, 1950, at Shibe Park. Because he never played in the majors after 1950, his 1952 Topps card is a poignant record of a fleeting career. Wellman found far more lasting success as a longtime minor-league manager, running clubs in the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets systems from 1955 to 1980 and compiling a 1,663-1,440 (.536) record with three playoff titles, including a 1966 Spartanburg club that reeled off a 25-game winning streak; he later scouted for the Mets. As a Series 1 card, #41 falls outside the scarce high-number run (#311-407) and is found with both black-back and red-back printing variations. Wellman is not a Hall of Famer.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 691 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 63 | 162 | 157 | 275 | 6 |
| SGC | 112 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 28 | 66 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 51 · Red Back 61
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Bob Wellman card?
It is card #41 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Philadelphia Athletics player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Bob Wellman have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Bob Wellman valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.