1952 Topps #385 Herman Franks
1952 Topps #385 Herman Franks
About Herman Franks
Herman Franks (1914-2009), pictured here as a New York Giants coach, was a light-hitting catcher who forged a far longer career in the dugout and front office. Born in Price, Utah, to Italian immigrant parents, he left the University of Utah to turn pro with the Pacific Coast League's Hollywood Stars in 1932. He reached the majors with the Cardinals in 1939 and caught for the Dodgers (1940-41) and Athletics (1947-48), his career interrupted by Navy service in World War II; over parts of six seasons he batted .199 with 3 home runs and 43 RBI in 188 games, and behind the plate he caught Tex Carleton's 1940 no-hitter. Franks joined Leo Durocher's Giants staff in 1949, coaching third base for the 1951 and 1954 National League pennant winners and the 1954 World Series champions. He is also identified by journalist Joshua Prager as the man who, in 1951, used a telescope from the Polo Grounds clubhouse to steal opposing catchers' signs during the Giants' famous pennant run. He later managed the San Francisco Giants to four straight second-place finishes (1965-68) and skippered the Chicago Cubs (1977-79), compiling a 605-521 managerial record. This card belongs to the scarce high-number series (#311-407) that was printed in far smaller quantities and is prized by collectors today.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number
Series 6 (311-407). Minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 when retailers cut orders — the scarcest and most coveted run in the set, holding Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, the Mathews rookie and more.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 542 | 1 | 4 | 55 | 81 | 72 | 78 | 244 | 7 |
| SGC | 117 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 67 | 5 |
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 Herman Franks card?
It is card #385 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Giants coach.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1952 Topps high-number series (311-407), which was minimally distributed in the fall of 1952 and is the scarcest, most sought-after run in the set.
Is the 1952 Topps Herman Franks 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.