1956 Topps #124 Don Kaiser
1956 Topps #124 Don Kaiser
About Don Kaiser
Clyde Donald Kaiser (born February 3, 1935, in Byng, Oklahoma) was a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher and a high-school phenom who won 49 of 50 decisions at Byng High School, tossing seven no-hitters and two perfect games. After one semester at East Central University, where he was on a basketball scholarship, he became the first "Bonus Baby" the Chicago Cubs ever signed, inking a $15,000 deal that under the era's bonus rule forced him to spend two years on the big-league roster. Kaiser pitched all three of his major-league seasons with the Cubs from 1955 to 1957, appearing in 58 games (35 starts) and posting a 6-15 record with a 4.15 ERA, 240-2/3 innings, and 108 strikeouts. His best year was 1956, when he made 22 starts and logged a career-low 3.59 ERA, third-best on a last-place Cubs club that finished 60-94; the highlight came on July 1, 1956, when he shut out the Milwaukee Braves on six hits and one walk for the only shutout of his career. Traded to the Braves and later the Tigers, he never returned to the majors and retired from pro ball after 1961. This card (#124) exists with both white and gray back stock, the white variation being the scarcer of the two.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
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 | 647 | 1 | 13 | 164 | 179 | 150 | 76 | 64 | 0 |
| SGC | 32 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 559 · White Back 88
SGC by variation: Gray Back 26 · White Back 6
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 Don Kaiser card?
It is card #124 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 Chicago Cubs player.
Does the 1956 Topps Don Kaiser 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 Don Kaiser 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.