1952 Topps #40 Irv Noren
1952 Topps #40 Irv Noren
About Irv Noren
Irving Arnold Noren was a left-handed outfielder signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946 after starring in California semipro ball. He tore through the minors — named Texas League Player of the Year with Fort Worth in 1948 and winning Pacific Coast League MVP for the Hollywood Stars in 1949 (.330, 29 HR, 130 RBI) — before his contract was sold to the Washington Senators, with whom he debuted in 1950 and hit .295 with 98 RBI as a rookie. On May 3, 1952 — the year of this Topps card, which still pictures him as a Senator — Washington traded Noren to Casey Stengel's Yankees, where he became a valuable platoon outfielder. He earned his lone All-Star selection in 1954, a season in which he led the American League at .366 into mid-July before a wrist injury slowed him. Noren was a member of the Yankees' 1952 and 1953 World Series champions and also appeared in the 1955 Series. Over 11 seasons (1950–1960) with six clubs he batted .275 with 857 hits, 65 home runs and 453 RBI in 1,093 games. Contemporary sportswriters dubbed the young star "Kid Noren." He later coached third base for Oakland's 1972 and 1973 World Series champions and, dying in 2019 at 94, was the last surviving member of the 1952 champion Yankees.
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 | 594 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 50 | 123 | 163 | 218 | 5 |
| SGC | 84 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 60 | 3 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 43 · Red Back 41
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 Irv Noren card?
It is card #40 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Washington Senators player.
Does the 1952 Topps Irv Noren 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 Irv Noren 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.