1954 Topps Scoop: A Collector's Guide

One hundred fifty-six front-page headlines, from the fall of Troy to the conquest of Everest, plus a scratch-off surprise.

In 1954, Topps turned history into headlines. Scoop presents 156 historical events as newspaper "top stories," each with a banner headline and an illustration. The name comes from journalism slang for beating the competition to a story. Some cards even had a scratch-off coating hiding the picture. It's an unusual, educational and surprisingly collectible set, with sports cards that draw buyers from well beyond non-sports collecting.

The Set at a Glance

• Issuer: Topps.

• Cards: 156, issued in two 78-card series.

• Size: About 2-1/16 by 2-15/16 inches, smaller than a standard card.

• Design: A newspaper front page, with a banner headline over the illustrated event.

• Subjects: Mostly war, politics, disasters and crime, from ancient history through 1953, with a handful of sports moments.

The Scratch-Off Coating

Some cards were issued with a black coating over the image, which kids scratched off to reveal the picture. There were two styles: plain black, and black printed with "Scoop, Scratch it off, Peel it off, See it now!" According to longtime collectors, most cards from penny packs carried the coating, while nickel packs included only one coated card each. Cards with the coating still intact are a fun variation for advanced collectors.

The Sports Cards

A handful of sports cards give the set real crossover appeal:

• #27 Bob Feller, striking out 18 in a 1938 game.

• #39 Jack Dempsey and #40 Joe Louis.

• #41 Babe Ruth's 60th home run (1927), the most popular sports card in the set.

• #65 Rocky Marciano, knocking out Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952.

• #110 Notre Dame's Four Horsemen (1923), the set's lone football card.

• #128 Jesse Owens, racing a horse in Cuba in 1936.

• #129 Ben Hogan (1953), popular with golf collectors.

Other Key Cards

• #1 San Francisco Earthquake, the opening card and the set's anchor.

• #70 First official ascent of Mount Everest (1953).

• #88 Troy Falls to Greeks, one of the set's oldest subjects.

• #156, the last card, featuring the world's largest telescope.

Condition Issues to Inspect

• Centering. Poor centering is the main reason Scoop cards grade low. True high-grade examples, PSA 9 and above, are nearly nonexistent.

• Corner and edge wear on the small-format stock.

• Scratch-off residue, or scratches from removing the coating.

• Gum and wax stains.

• Writing on the backs.

The first series is generally considered slightly more common than the second.

Building the Set

It's achievable. Scoop appears regularly at auction and in dealer stock, so a complete set is a realistic goal.

Lock in the sports cards early. Sports collectors compete with non-sports collectors for the Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Dempsey and Ben Hogan cards, so expect to pay more for them.

Prioritize centering. In this set, a well-centered card stands out more than in almost any other.

Decide on coated cards. Most collectors build the base set, but cards with intact coatings are a satisfying advanced project.

Storage and Display

Scoop cards are smaller than standard cards, so use sleeves and holders sized to fit without sliding around. Nine-pocket pages work for display. A frame of the sports cards makes a great piece for any sports fan's wall.

Pricing Scoop Cards

Commons are affordable, and a complete mid-grade set is achievable. The sports cards, led by Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey and Ben Hogan, carry the strongest premiums, along with the opening San Francisco Earthquake card. Because high grades are so rare, the price gap between typical and high-grade copies is very large. When you research prices, check whether a card has the scratch-off coating, since coated and uncoated cards are different markets.

Who Collects Scoop

Scoop appeals to history buffs, vintage Topps collectors and sports collectors hunting the crossover cards. Advanced collectors also chase high-grade sets for the PSA Set Registry. The set's educational angle makes it a favorite with collectors who enjoy reading the cards as much as owning them.

The Second Series

The second 78 cards are generally considered slightly scarcer than the first, so expect the back half of the checklist to take a little longer to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1954 Topps Scoop set?

One hundred fifty-six, issued in two 78-card series.

Is there a Babe Ruth card in the 1954 Topps Scoop set?

Yes. Card #41 shows Babe Ruth's 60th home run in 1927.

What is the Topps Scoop scratch-off coating?

Some cards came with a black coating over the image that kids scratched off. Cards with the coating intact are collected as a variation.

Which Scoop cards are the most popular?

The sports crossover cards, especially Babe Ruth's 60th home run, plus the opening San Francisco Earthquake card.

Why are high-grade Scoop cards so rare?

Poor centering. Most cards were cut off-center, so true high-grade examples are nearly nonexistent.

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