1953 Topps #152 Bobby Adams
1953 Topps #152 Bobby Adams
About Bobby Adams
Signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1939, Robert Henry Adams began his pro career with Ogden of the Class C Pioneer League and worked up the Reds' chain before World War II intervened. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1945 — including a South Pacific exhibition tour — which delayed his debut until Cincinnati's Opening Day, April 16, 1946. A right-handed-hitting second and third baseman, Adams played 14 major-league seasons (1946–1959) for the Reds/Redlegs, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs, batting .269 with 1,082 hits, 37 home runs, 303 RBI, and 67 stolen bases in 1,281 games. His finest year came in 1952, when he led the National League in singles (152), at-bats (637), and games (154) while hitting .283 with a career-high 180 hits and drawing MVP consideration. After retiring he coached for the Cubs (part of their "College of Coaches") and later ran their Triple-A Tacoma club. His brother Dick Adams was a big-league first baseman, and his son Mike Adams reached the majors as an outfielder. He died in 1997 at age 75. This 1953 Topps card (#152, series 2, a double-print) exists with a minor printing variation — the back biography appears in white text on some copies and black text on others — a catalogued quirk, not a true error.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Designations, variations & errors
Double Print
Marked DP. Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors (the hobby calls it 'double-printed'), so they are the most plentiful cards in the set. TCDB flags 103 of them, concentrated in the low series. Five cards normally in the low run - #94, #107, #131, #145 and #156 - were also printed on the more-plentiful #166-220 sheet. A print-quantity designation, not an error or a separate card.
White-text biography
A minor printing variation: on some copies the back biography is printed in white text, on others in black text. Catalogued by TCDB (and noted by price guides for the series-2 range) but considered a minor variation, not a headline.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 432 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 88 | 111 | 112 | 85 | 2 |
| SGC | 62 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 4 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1953 Topps Bobby Adams card?
It is card #152 of the 1953 Topps Baseball set - one of the most beautiful sets ever made, with hand-painted color portraits numbered to 280 (274 cards issued). It pictures the Cincinnati Reds player.
What does 'double print' mean for this card?
Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors, so double prints (DP) are the most plentiful cards in the set. It is a print-quantity note, not an error or a separate card.
Is the 1953 Topps Bobby Adams valuable?
Value depends on grade and eye appeal. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.