1953 Topps #27 Roy Campanella
1953 Topps #27 Roy Campanella
About Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella entered pro ball at just 15 in 1937, catching in the Negro Leagues for the Washington (later Baltimore) Elite Giants before Branch Rickey's Dodgers signed him; he won New England League MVP honors at Nashua in 1946 and reached Brooklyn on Opening Day 1948. Over 10 seasons (1948-1957), all with the Dodgers, "Campy" became the National League's premier catcher, an All-Star every year from 1949 through 1956 and a three-time NL MVP (1951, 1953, 1955)—the first Black player to win multiple MVPs. His 1953 MVP campaign, the season of this card, was historic: .312 with 41 home runs and a league-leading 142 RBIs, both all-time records for catchers until 1970. In 1955 he hit .318 with 32 homers and anchored Brooklyn's first World Series title, homering in Game 3. He retired with a .276 average, 242 home runs, and 856 RBIs over 1,215 games. A January 1958 car crash on an icy road broke his neck and left him paralyzed, ending his playing days. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969. This is a Series 1 double-print with no documented card error.
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 | 2,445 | 1 | 22 | 141 | 230 | 422 | 447 | 1,158 | 24 |
| SGC | 1,171 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 48 | 90 | 178 | 757 | 85 |
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 Roy Campanella card?
It is card #27 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 Brooklyn Dodgers 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 Roy Campanella 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.