1952 Topps #56 Tommy Glaviano
1952 Topps #56 Tommy Glaviano
About Tommy Glaviano
Thomas Giatano "Tommy" Glaviano (1923-2004), a Sacramento native, was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals at age 17 before serving three years in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II (1943-45). He returned to post a .415 on-base percentage in 106 games at Columbus in 1948, earning the Cardinals' third-base job at 1949 spring training. A right-handed hitter listed at 5'9" and 175 pounds, Glaviano debuted on April 19, 1949, and played five major-league seasons with St. Louis (1949-1952) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1953), batting .257 with 24 home runs, 108 RBI and a sharp .395 on-base percentage over 389 games, thanks to his knack for drawing walks. His best year came in 1950, when he hit .285 with 92 runs, 117 hits, 11 homers and 29 doubles as the starting third baseman. Columnist Bob Broeg once likened the scrappy infielder to "a sawed-off Pepper Martin," but Glaviano is best remembered for the game against Brooklyn on May 18, 1950, in which he committed three consecutive ninth-inning errors to help squander a big Cardinals lead in a loss. A spring-training outfield-wall collision in 1951 sapped his effectiveness, and after moving to a utility role he closed out his career with Philadelphia in 1953. On this first-series card #56, Glaviano is found with both the black-back and red-back printing variations that distinguish early 1952 Topps.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
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 | 815 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 131 | 209 | 192 | 233 | 10 |
| SGC | 106 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 27 | 55 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 54 · Red Back 52
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 Tommy Glaviano card?
It is card #56 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the St. Louis Cardinals player.
Does the 1952 Topps Tommy Glaviano 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 Tommy Glaviano 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.