1952 Topps #55 Ray Boone
About Ray Boone
Raymond Otis Boone (1923-2004), a San Diego native, signed with the Cleveland Indians organization and began his professional career as a catcher in 1941 before Navy service during World War II cost him the 1943-1945 seasons. Converted to shortstop, he reached the majors with Cleveland in 1948 and appeared as a pinch-hitter in that fall's World Series, which the Indians won for their first title since 1920; he later took over at short from player-manager Lou Boudreau. Traded to the Detroit Tigers in June 1953, Boone shifted to third base and enjoyed his best years, earning American League All-Star selections in 1954 and 1956 and sharing the 1955 AL RBI crown with 116. Over a 13-year career with the Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Athletics, Braves and Red Sox, he batted .275 with 1,260 hits, 151 home runs and 737 RBI in 1,373 games. Boone became the patriarch of a three-generation baseball family, father of catcher Bob Boone and grandfather of All-Stars Bret and Aaron Boone. This is a low-number Series 1 card, found with both black and red printing on the 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 | 852 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 114 | 197 | 187 | 295 | 1 |
| SGC | 142 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 35 | 74 | 1 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 79 · Red Back 63
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 Ray Boone card?
It is card #55 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Does the 1952 Topps Ray Boone 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 Ray Boone 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.