1952 Topps #48 Joe Page
1952 Topps #48 Joe Page
About Joe Page
Joseph Francis Page was a hard-throwing left-handed relief pitcher signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur in 1940, reaching the majors in 1944 after surviving a 1936 auto accident that nearly cost him a leg. He pitched primarily for the Yankees from 1944 to 1950 (with a final stint for the 1954 Pittsburgh Pirates), and became one of baseball's first star relievers. Named an American League All-Star in 1944 and 1947, Page broke out in 1947 with a 14-8 record, a 2.48 ERA and 17 saves, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting, then anchored the 1949 bullpen with 13 wins, a 2.59 ERA and a league-leading 27 saves while placing third in MVP balloting. He earned key relief work in the Yankees' 1947 and 1949 World Series titles, notably closing out Game 7 in 1947. Nicknamed "Fireman"—a moniker rooted in the red FDNY shirt a retired firefighter gave him—Page finished 57-49 with a 3.53 ERA, 76 saves and 519 strikeouts. On this card, the reverse famously carries the wrong biography, mistakenly printing that of Yankees teammate Johnny Sain (himself card #49); both the error and a corrected version exist, and the back also comes in black- and red-print 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.
Wrong-back error error
The reverse mistakenly carries Johnny Sain's biography. Both the error and a corrected version exist.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1,198 | 1 | 2 | 58 | 104 | 211 | 225 | 589 | 8 |
| SGC | 249 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 44 | 167 | 10 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 75 · Black Back Wrong Back (Sain Bio) 44 · Red Back 102 · Red Back Wrong Back (Sain Bio) 13 · Wrong Back (Sain Bio) 15
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 Joe Page card?
It is card #48 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Yankees player.
Does the 1952 Topps Joe Page 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 Joe Page 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.