1956 Topps #208 Elston Howard
1956 Topps #208 Elston Howard
About Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard entered pro ball with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in the late 1940s, playing the outfield before the New York Yankees signed him and, with Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey tutoring him, converted him to catcher. On April 14, 1955, Howard became the first Black player in Yankees history, breaking the franchise's color line eight years after Jackie Robinson. A 12-time All-Star, he was named American League MVP in 1963, becoming the first Black player to win the AL award, and captured Gold Gloves in 1963 and 1964. Over 14 major-league seasons (1955-1968), split between the Yankees and, from 1967, the Boston Red Sox, he batted .274 with 167 home runs and roughly 762 RBI. Howard reached nine World Series and won four titles as a Yankees player (1956, 1958, 1961, 1962). Known as "Ellie," he later coached for the Yankees and died in 1980 at age 51; the club retired his No. 32 in 1984.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1,640 | 2 | 22 | 238 | 344 | 392 | 293 | 349 | 0 |
| SGC | 318 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 42 | 61 | 62 | 134 | 5 |
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 Elston Howard card?
It is card #208 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 New York Yankees player.
Is the 1956 Topps Elston Howard 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.