1952 Topps #26 Monte Irvin
1952 Topps #26 Monte Irvin
About Monte Irvin
Montford Merrill "Monte" Irvin left Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), where he was on a football scholarship, to star in the Negro Leagues with the Newark Eagles, winning Negro National League batting titles in 1940, 1941, and 1946 before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. The New York Giants bought his contract, and he debuted in 1949 as a left/right fielder. In 1951, Irvin was the Giants' offensive engine on their pennant-winning "Miracle" club, batting .312 with 24 home runs and a National League-best 121 RBI while finishing third in MVP voting; in the World Series against the Yankees he hit .458 and famously stole home in Game 1, the first steal of home in a World Series in 30 years. A broken ankle in the spring cost him much of 1952, though he earned his lone All-Star selection that season, and he won a World Series ring with the 1954 champion Giants, patrolling left field the day Willie Mays made "The Catch." He closed his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1956. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 largely for his Negro Leagues brilliance, Irvin later became one of the game's first Black front-office executives in the commissioner's office. This #26 belongs to Topps' landmark first flagship set and, like all first-series cards, is found with either a black or red printed back.
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 | 1,410 | 0 | 5 | 72 | 124 | 262 | 291 | 646 | 10 |
| SGC | 542 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 71 | 419 | 17 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 284 · Red Back 258
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 Monte Irvin card?
It is card #26 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the New York Giants player.
Does the 1952 Topps Monte Irvin 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 Monte Irvin 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.