1956 Topps #85 Cleveland Indians Team
1956 Topps #85 Cleveland Indians Team
About Cleveland Indians Team
This team card captures the Cleveland Indians at the peak of their 1950s powerhouse era. Just a year earlier, the 1954 club had won an American League-record 111 games (111-43) to end the New York Yankees' five-year pennant streak, only to be stunningly swept in the World Series by the New York Giants—a Series remembered for Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder catch of Vic Wertz's drive in Game 1. Managed by Al Lopez, the 1955 Indians pictured here remained a juggernaut, finishing 93-61, second in the AL, three games behind the Yankees. Their rotation was among the best in baseball: Bob Lemon (18 wins) and Early Wynn (17 wins, 2.82 ERA) were future Hall of Famers, and hard-throwing rookie Herb Score won AL Rookie of the Year while striking out 245 batters, a major-league rookie record that stood until 1984. The lineup featured slugging center fielder Larry Doby (26 HR, 75 RBI), the AL's first Black player, plus 1953 MVP third baseman Al Rosen and outfielder Al Smith (.306). As a Series 1 card (#1-100), it exists with both white and gray back-stock, the gray backs being the scarcer of the two variations.
Sources: Wikipedia
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 1 & 2 (cards 1-180)
Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
- White Back: Printed on white/cream card stock. The standard/common look on cards 1-100; the SCARCE, premium variation on cards 101-180.
- Gray Back: Printed on gray card stock. The scarcer variation on cards 1-100 (modest premium); the common look on cards 101-180; the ONLY back on cards 181-340.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1,658 | 3 | 39 | 304 | 405 | 377 | 261 | 267 | 2 |
| SGC | 183 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 39 | 32 | 36 | 56 | 1 |
PSA by variation: No Date, Name Center-Gray Back 272 · No Date, Name Center-White Back 468 · No Date, Name Left-Gray Back 142 · No Date, Name Left-White Back 334 · With Date-Gray Back 1 · With Date-White Back 441
SGC by variation: Dated 2 · Dated 1955 3 · Dated 1955 White Back 21 · Gray Back 23 · Gray Back, Name Centered (Overprint - Carroll) 1 · Gray Back, Name Left 5 · Name at Left 3 · Name Centered 1 · Name Centered Gray Back 24 · Name Centered White Back 25 · Name Left Gray Back 9 · Name Left White Back 9 · No Date 1 · No Date, Name at Left 8 · No Date, Name Centered 7 · White Back 19 · White Back, Dated 1955 11 · White Back, Name Left 2 · White Back, With Date 1 · With Date 7 · With Date, Name at Left 1
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-30. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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More Cleveland Indians cards
- Al Rosen
- Don Mossi
- Jim Hegan
- Jose Santiago
- Al Smith
- Bobby Avila
- Ray Narleski
- Herb Score
- Gene Woodling
- Early Wynn
- Bob Feller
- Mike Garcia
- Chico Carrasquel
- Bob Lemon
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Cleveland Indians Team card?
It is card #85 of 340 in the 1956 Topps set - Topps' first set after buying out rival Bowman, and one of the most attractive issues in the hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Does the 1956 Topps Cleveland Indians Team have front variations?
Yes - this first-series team card exists in three front layouts: dated 1955, no date with the name centered, and no date with the name at the left.
Does the 1956 Topps Cleveland Indians Team have back variations?
Yes. Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
Is the 1956 Topps Cleveland Indians Team valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back or front variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, BaseballCardPedia, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data, images & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.