1952 Topps #72 Karl Olson
About Karl Olson
Karl Arthur Olson (1930-2010), a 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter from Marin County, California, was signed by the Boston Red Sox out of Tamalpais High School in 1948 by scout Charlie Wallgren and converted from the infield to the outfield in the minors. After a breakout 1950 at Birmingham (.321, 23 HR, 100 RBI), he reached the majors with Boston on June 30, 1951. Military service in the Army during the Korean War cost him the entire 1952 season, and this 1952 Topps card (his rookie card, part of the first-series issue) actually captures him during that year away from the game. A backup outfielder, Olson played parts of six MLB seasons (1951, 1953-57) for the Red Sox, Washington Senators, and Detroit Tigers, batting .235 with 6 home runs and 50 RBI in 279 games; his best year was 1954 with Boston. His career highlight came on Opening Day 1956, when he homered twice off Don Larsen for Washington in front of President Eisenhower. As a Series 1 card, #72 exists with both black-back and red-back printing variations. He left the game after 1957 and later ran restaurants near Lake Tahoe.
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 | 576 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 39 | 107 | 128 | 265 | 5 |
| SGC | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 62 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 44 · Red Back 37
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 Karl Olson card?
It is card #72 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Karl Olson 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 Karl Olson 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.