1956 Topps #115 Jackie Jensen
1956 Topps #115 Jackie Jensen
About Jackie Jensen
A two-sport star, Jackie Jensen was a consensus All-American fullback at the University of California who played in the 1949 Rose Bowl before signing with the PCL's Oakland Oaks and, in 1950, the New York Yankees. A right-handed-hitting right fielder, he reached the majors in 1950 and, after stints with the Yankees and Washington Senators, became the heart of the Boston Red Sox from 1954 to 1961. A three-time All-Star (1952, 1955, 1958) known for his powerful throwing arm, Jensen won the 1958 AL Most Valuable Player Award after belting 35 home runs and leading the league with 122 RBI, and he paced the AL in RBI three times (1955, 1958, 1959) while capturing a 1959 Gold Glove. Over 11 seasons he batted .279 with 199 home runs, 929 RBI and 143 stolen bases; his 1956 season—the year of this card—was a personal best at .315 with a league-leading 11 triples. Universally nicknamed "The Golden Boy" for his blond good looks and all-American athletic fame, Jensen famously retired in his early thirties, hampered by an intense fear of flying as the game expanded westward. This #115 card, from the set's second series, exists with both the scarcer white and the common gray back stock.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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 | 1,093 | 1 | 19 | 230 | 293 | 261 | 150 | 138 | 1 |
| SGC | 124 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 25 | 29 | 37 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 1,008 · White Back 85
SGC by variation: Gray Back 107 · White Back 17
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 Jackie Jensen card?
It is card #115 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 Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1956 Topps Jackie Jensen 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 Jackie Jensen 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.