1953 Topps #97 Don Kolloway
1953 Topps #97 Don Kolloway
About Don Kolloway
A Blue Island, Illinois native, Don Kolloway broke into pro ball in the Texas circuits in the late 1930s and reached the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 1940. Over 12 seasons he played 1,079 games as an infielder — chiefly at second base (where he partnered Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling) with time at first — for the White Sox (1940–43, 1946–49), Detroit Tigers (1949–52), and Philadelphia Athletics (1953, his final year and the club shown on this card). His finest season came in 1942, when he led the American League with 40 doubles as Chicago's regular second baseman. Kolloway hit .271 for his career with 1,081 hits, 180 doubles, 29 home runs, 393 RBI, and 76 stolen bases. His career was interrupted by World War II service in the U.S. Army (1943–46), during which he was a combat medic and earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Nicknamed "The Blue Island Bird Dog" for his hometown and his knack for tracking down batted balls, he later ran a tavern back home. Card #97 is a series-2 double print noted for a minor back variation (biography text printed in white on some copies, black on others).
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 | 528 | 0 | 8 | 55 | 105 | 167 | 97 | 96 | 0 |
| SGC | 67 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 25 | 1 |
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 Don Kolloway card?
It is card #97 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 Philadelphia Athletics 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 Don Kolloway 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.