1953 Topps #42 Gus Zernial
1953 Topps #42 Gus Zernial
About Gus Zernial
A right-handed slugging left fielder from Beaumont, Texas, Gus Zernial broke into pro ball in the low minors in 1942, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and belted 41 home runs for Burlington in 1946 before reaching the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 1949. Nicknamed "Ozark Ike" after a comic-strip character during his time with the Pacific Coast League's Hollywood Stars, he was one of the decade's premier power hitters. Traded to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1951, that season he led the American League in home runs (33) and all of baseball in RBI (129), finishing ahead of Ted Williams in both. A 1953 All-Star, he started in left field for the AL and clubbed 42 home runs, one shy of league leader Al Rosen. Zernial played 11 seasons (through 1959) with the White Sox, Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics, and Detroit Tigers, batting .265 with 237 home runs and 776 RBI over 1,234 games. He is also remembered for a studio publicity photo with Marilyn Monroe that reportedly prompted Joe DiMaggio's interest in her.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 644 | 1 | 11 | 99 | 144 | 170 | 129 | 90 | 0 |
| SGC | 79 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 22 | 20 | 0 |
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 Gus Zernial card?
It is card #42 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 Gus Zernial 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.