1953 Topps #2 Luke Easter
1953 Topps #2 Luke Easter
About Luke Easter
Luscious "Luke" Easter (1915-1979) was a towering, left-handed-hitting first baseman who reached pro ball the hard way: the semipro St. Louis Titanium Giants in 1937, then, after promoter Abe Saperstein signed him, the Cincinnati Crescents (1946) and the Homestead Grays (1947-48). In 1948 he batted .363, tied for the Negro National League home run lead, led in RBIs, played in the East-West All-Star Game, and helped the Grays win the Negro World Series. Cleveland signed him, and he debuted in August 1949 as one of the era's first Black big-leaguers, manning first base for the Indians from 1949 through 1954. Chronic knee trouble limited him to 491 games, but he still hit .274 with 93 home runs and 340 RBIs, and on June 23, 1950 launched the longest home run in Cleveland Municipal Stadium history (roughly 477 feet). His prodigious blasts were dubbed "Easter Eggs." A minor-league legend afterward, he was shot and killed in a 1979 robbery while carrying payroll cash as a union steward. Bill James rated him the second-best first baseman in Negro leagues history, behind only Buck Leonard.
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 | 602 | 1 | 4 | 54 | 98 | 161 | 126 | 157 | 1 |
| SGC | 114 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 28 | 51 | 7 |
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 Luke Easter card?
It is card #2 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 Cleveland Indians 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 Luke Easter 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.