1952 Topps #50 Marv Rickert
1952 Topps #50 Marv Rickert
About Marv Rickert
Marvin August "Twitch" Rickert (1921-1978) was a left-handed-hitting outfielder and first baseman from Longbranch, Washington, who signed out of high school at age 17 and broke in with Class B Tacoma in 1938 before the Chicago Cubs purchased his contract in 1941. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, he debuted for the Cubs on September 10, 1942, and went on to play parts of six major-league seasons (1942, 1946-1950) with the Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox, batting .247 with 19 home runs and 145 RBI over 402 games. His finest year came in 1949, when he hit .292 with six homers and 49 RBI in 100 games for Boston. Rickert's signature moment was the 1948 World Series: signed as an emergency roster addition (with Commissioner Happy Chandler's special permission) after Braves left fielder Jeff Heath broke his ankle, he started in left field, delivered one of Boston's only two hits off Bob Feller in the Game 1 1-0 win, and homered in Game 4, though he hit just .211 as Cleveland took the Series in six. He is also remembered for hitting back-to-back inside-the-park home runs with Eddie Waitkus on June 23, 1946. This 1952 Topps #50 is his card in the low-numbered first series and is found with the set's documented black-back and red-back color 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 | 654 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 53 | 139 | 137 | 276 | 9 |
| SGC | 94 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 52 | 3 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 44 · Red Back 50
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Chicago White Sox cards
- Eddie Robinson
- Lou Kretlow
- Chuck Stobbs
- Al Zarilla
- Ken Holcombe
- Bill Pierce
- Bill Kennedy
- Sherm Lollar
- Al Widmar
- Saul Rogovin
- Howie Judson
- Orestes Minoso
- Ray Coleman
- Chico Carrasquel
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Marv Rickert card?
It is card #50 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Chicago White Sox player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Marv Rickert 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 Marv Rickert 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.