1952 Topps #151 Wally Post
1952 Topps #151 Wally Post
About Wally Post
The Cincinnati Reds signed Ohio native Wally Post at age 16 out of high school, initially as a pitcher-first baseman before converting him to the outfield in the minors. The right-handed-hitting right fielder debuted with Cincinnati in 1949 and spent parts of 15 major-league seasons (1949-1964) with the Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians, batting .266 with 210 home runs and 699 RBI over 1,204 games. His best year came in 1955, when he hit .309 with 40 home runs and 109 RBI, all career highs, and he earned an All-Star nod in 1957. Post appeared in all five games of the 1961 World Series as Cincinnati fell to the New York Yankees, batting .333 (6-for-18) with a home run. Known as the "best-dressed Red," he collected free suits by launching long home runs into the "Hit Sign Win Suit" laundry billboard beyond Crosley Field's left-field wall. This 1952 Topps card, from the third series, is Post's rookie card and comes with the common white- and gray-back stock variations. Post was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1965; he died of cancer in 1982 at age 52.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 3 (cards 131-190)
The third series exists on two different card stocks. The standard issue is on white/cream stock; a much scarcer parallel was printed on gray cardboard. The gray stock was used at the END of the series-3 run — leftover stock run through the same press, not a separate or foreign printing. Gray backs have a duller, gloss-less front and are never found with gum stains.
- White Back: Standard issue. White/cream card stock, normal red-ink back. Sharper, glossier front.
- Gray Back — scarcer: Scarce parallel on gray card stock. Duller, gloss-less front; never gum-stained. #189 Pete Reiser is the rarest of the run; #146 Frank House appears with a pale/yellow Tiger logo. NOTE: long mislabeled 'Canadian' (borrowed from the genuinely-Canadian 1954 Topps issue) — there is no evidence the 1952 grays were a Canadian release. TCDB catalogs these as 'Grey Back' against the normal 'Red Back'.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 533 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 67 | 117 | 136 | 185 | 4 |
| SGC | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 55 | 3 |
SGC by variation: Standard 82 · Gray Back 3
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 Wally Post card?
It is card #151 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cincinnati Reds player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Wally Post have back variations?
Yes. The third series exists on two different card stocks. The standard issue is on white/cream stock; a much scarcer parallel was printed on gray cardboard. The gray stock was used at the END of the series-3 run — leftover stock run through the same press, not a separate or foreign printing. Gray backs have a duller, gloss-less front and are never found with gum stains.
Is the 1952 Topps Wally Post 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.