1956 Topps #6 Ray Boone
1956 Topps #6 Ray Boone
About Ray Boone
Signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1942, San Diego native Ray Boone converted from catcher to the middle infield in the minors and reached the majors in 1948, where he backed up (and eventually replaced) shortstop-manager Lou Boudreau on Cleveland's 1948 World Series championship club. Over 13 seasons (1948-1960) he played for the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves, and Boston Red Sox, mostly at third base after moving to the hot corner in Detroit. A two-time All-Star (1954 and 1956), Boone had his finest year in 1955 when he tied Boston's Jackie Jensen for the American League RBI title with 116. For his career he batted .275 with 1,260 hits, 151 home runs, and 737 RBI over 1,373 games. Nicknamed "Ike," Boone founded a three-generation big-league family: his son Bob and grandsons Bret and Aaron all reached the majors, the first family to send three generations to the All-Star Game. This first-series card exists with both the common white and scarcer gray back stock. Boone is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame but was inducted into San Diego's Breitbard Hall of Fame in 1973.
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 | 905 | 0 | 18 | 201 | 250 | 224 | 108 | 104 | 0 |
| SGC | 77 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 27 | 8 | 18 | 15 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 256 · White Back 649
SGC by variation: Gray Back 39 · White Back 38
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 Ray Boone card?
It is card #6 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 Detroit Tigers player.
Does the 1956 Topps Ray Boone 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 Ray Boone 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.