1952 Topps #3 Hank Thompson
About Hank Thompson
Henry Curtis "Hank" Thompson (1925-1969) broke into pro ball at 17 with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, where veteran teammates dubbed the youngster "Youngblood." After serving in World War II as a machine gunner during the Battle of the Bulge, he returned to the Monarchs and reached the majors with the St. Louis Browns on July 17, 1947 — the first Black player in franchise history and, days later alongside Willard Brown, part of the first Black pairing in a big-league lineup. Signed by the New York Giants, he debuted July 8, 1949 with Monte Irvin as the club's first Black players, making Thompson the only man to integrate two different major-league teams and the first to appear in both the American and National Leagues. A left-handed-hitting third baseman, he played nine MLB seasons and batted .267 with 129 home runs and 482 RBI over 933 games, peaking at .302 with 24 homers in 1953. He anchored the 1954 world champion Giants, hitting .364 with a record seven walks in their World Series sweep of Cleveland. This card carries the common black-back and red-back printing variation of the 1952 Topps first series.
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 | 889 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 70 | 166 | 177 | 446 | 1 |
| SGC | 130 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 32 | 82 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 58 · Red Back 72
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Hank Thompson card?
It is card #3 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Giants player.
Does the 1952 Topps Hank Thompson 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 Hank Thompson 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 2026-10-05.