1952 Topps #51 Jim Russell
1952 Topps #51 Jim Russell
About Jim Russell
Jim Russell (James William Russell, 1918-1987) was a switch-hitting outfielder from Fayette City, Pennsylvania, who signed his first pro contract in 1937 and climbed through the minors before the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased his contract in September 1942. The speedy 6-foot-1 center fielder played ten major-league seasons for the Pirates (1942-1947), Boston Braves (1948-1949), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1950-1951), batting .267 with 959 hits, 67 home runs, and 428 RBI in 1,035 games. His best year came in 1944, when he led Pittsburgh with a .312 average and 181 hits and delivered the franchise's first pinch-hit grand slam. Russell earned a lasting footnote in the record book as the first player in major-league history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game on two separate occasions (June 7, 1948, and July 26, 1950). Endocarditis stemming from childhood rheumatic fever cost him a shot at the Braves' 1948 pennant and World Series; after retiring he scouted for the Dodgers and Washington Senators. On this 1952 Topps card, part of the low-number first series (#1-80), his name appears on either the black-backed or red-backed printing that collectors track as a set-wide variation.
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 | 875 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 115 | 185 | 220 | 308 | 9 |
| SGC | 113 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 25 | 66 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 65 · Red Back 48
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 Jim Russell card?
It is card #51 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Brooklyn Dodgers player.
Does the 1952 Topps Jim Russell 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 Jim Russell 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.