1952 Topps #34 Elmer Valo
1952 Topps #34 Elmer Valo
About Elmer Valo
Born Imrich Valo on March 5, 1921, in Rybník, Czechoslovakia, Elmer Valo was one of the few Czechoslovakia-born players in major-league history; his family immigrated to Palmerton, Pennsylvania when he was six. Signed by the Philadelphia Athletics out of high school, he hit his way up through Federalsburg (1939) and Wilmington (1940) before debuting for Connie Mack's A's on September 22, 1940, at age 19. A left-handed-hitting right fielder famous for fearlessly crashing into outfield walls to chase down flies, Valo played 20 major-league seasons (1940-1961), spending most of his career with the Athletics franchise in Philadelphia and Kansas City before later stops with the Phillies, Dodgers, Indians, Yankees and Senators/Twins. He batted .282 with 1,420 hits, 58 home runs and 601 RBI over 1,806 games, hitting .300 or better five times and peaking at a career-high .364 in 1955. Late in his career he became one of the game's premier pinch-hitters, setting several pinch-hitting records in 1960. Valo was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame in 1990. This card is a Series 1 (low-number) issue found with both black-back and red-back color variations.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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 | 893 | 0 | 5 | 63 | 123 | 209 | 213 | 275 | 5 |
| SGC | 133 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 38 | 68 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 77 · Red Back 56
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Philadelphia Athletics cards
- Ferris Fain
- Gus Zernial
- Bob Wellman
- Eddie Joost
- Hank Majeski
- Carl Scheib
- Morrie Martin
- Joe Tipton
- Billy Hitchcock
- Alex Kellner
- Dick Fowler
- Bobby Shantz
- Dave Philley
- Sam Zoldak
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Elmer Valo card?
It is card #34 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Philadelphia Athletics player.
Does the 1952 Topps Elmer Valo 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 Elmer Valo 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.