1957 Topps #55 Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks, entering his first MVP era with the Cubs.
About Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950, and the Cubs purchased his contract in September 1953 — he debuted that September 17 as the franchise's first Black player. A slugging shortstop who later shifted to first base, Banks spent his entire 19-season career in Chicago, earning the nickname "Mr. Cub" for his lifelong identification with the team. He set a major-league record with five grand slams in 1955, and this card catches him mid-ascent: 43 home runs in 1957, then history as the first National Leaguer to win back-to-back MVP awards, leading the majors with 47 homers and 129 RBIs in 1958 and driving in 143 runs in 1959. A 14-time All-Star, he retired with 512 home runs and 2,583 hits without ever reaching a World Series, forever sunny — "Let's play two!" Banks was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1977, and the Cubs retired his No. 14 in 1982.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 4,446 | 2 | 38 | 291 | 664 | 969 | 778 | 1,689 | 15 |
| SGC | 1,672 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 132 | 189 | 356 | 917 | 38 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Ernie Banks card?
It is card #55 of the 1957 Topps Baseball set - the 407-card, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inch set that was Topps' first at the modern standard card size, with full-color photography and complete career stats on the back. It pictures Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs.
How many cards are in the 1957 Topps set?
407 numbered cards. Collectors usually count 408 because #176 Gene Baker exists in an error ('Bakep') and a corrected back. The PSA master set adds the 8 checklists, 4 contest cards and the Lucky Penny for 421 items.
Sources: PSA CardFacts, Beckett, BaseballCardPedia, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and hobby press-sheet research (Net54 / Topps Archives). Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-13.