1956 Topps #306 Curt Roberts
1956 Topps #306 Curt Roberts
About Curt Roberts
Curtis Benjamin Roberts (August 16, 1929 - November 14, 1969) holds an honored place in franchise history as the first Black player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Raised in Oakland, California, and a McClymonds High School product, he began his professional career as a teenager with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues before Boston Braves scout Andy Cohen signed him in 1951. Converting from shortstop to second base with the Denver Bears, Roberts built a reputation as a slick fielder, leading all minor-league second basemen in fielding percentage in 1953. Branch Rickey's Pirates acquired his contract, and Roberts integrated the club on April 13, 1954, at Forbes Field, tripling in his first major-league at-bat against the Phillies. He spent all three of his big-league seasons (1954-1956) in Pittsburgh, hitting .223 with 128 hits, 1 home run, and 40 RBI over 171 games; 1954 was his lone season as the regular second baseman before a young Bill Mazeroski eventually claimed the position. Remembered as a pioneer who mentored Roberto Clemente on facing the era's racial pressures, Roberts died at age 40 after being struck by a drunk driver while changing a flat tire. This is a Series 4 high-number card in the 1956 Topps set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number (Series 4)
Cards 261-340. Unlike most vintage sets, the 1956 high numbers carry NO series premium - they were distributed in similar quantities to the rest of the set.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 574 | 0 | 18 | 159 | 167 | 121 | 71 | 38 | 0 |
| SGC | 44 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 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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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Curt Roberts card?
It is card #306 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 Pittsburgh Pirates player.
Is the 1956 Topps Curt Roberts 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.