1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays
1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays
Willie Mays' first Topps card (his rookie is 1951 Bowman). A premier high number.
About Willie Mays
Widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around players in baseball history, Willie Mays began his professional career in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League before signing with the New York Giants, for whom he debuted on May 25, 1951. The right-handed center fielder was named 1951 National League Rookie of the Year, then returned from military service to lead the Giants to the 1954 World Series title, a championship punctuated by "The Catch" — his stunning over-the-shoulder running grab of a Vic Wertz drive some 425 feet away in Game 1 at the Polo Grounds. Over 23 seasons (1951-1973) with the New York and San Francisco Giants and, finally, the New York Mets, Mays batted .301 with 3,293 hits, 660 home runs, 1,909 RBI and 338 stolen bases. He was a 24-time All-Star, won two NL MVP awards (1954 and 1965), and captured 12 consecutive Gold Gloves (1957-1968) for his brilliance in center. Nicknamed "The Say Hey Kid" for his exuberant early-career greeting, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1979. This 1952 Topps card is his first Topps issue — his true rookie card is the 1951 Bowman — and its placement in the tougher fifth series makes it one of the set's most coveted cards.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,600 | 1 | 9 | 60 | 102 | 191 | 345 | 1,721 | 171 |
| SGC | 1,123 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 39 | 38 | 104 | 742 | 194 |
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 Willie Mays card?
It is card #261 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.
Is the 1952 Topps Willie Mays 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.