1959 Fleer Three Stooges: A Collector's Guide

Ninety-six cards of slapstick, a set of extremely rare checklist backs, and fans in every generation.

In the late 1950s, the Three Stooges' old short films found a whole new audience on television, and kids who'd never seen them in theaters became fans overnight. Fleer cashed in with a 96-card set of colorized photos and one-liners in 1959. It's one of the classic entertainment sets of the decade, with a buyer base that runs from boomers who opened the packs to younger collectors who grew up on the reruns.

The Set at a Glance

• Issuer: Fleer.

• Cards: 96.

• Fronts: Colorized photos of the trio, usually mid-gag, with a caption at the bottom carrying a quote or punchline.

• Backs: Decorative art and a cartoon of the trio, the card number inside a Fleer crown, and short gags written as scripts.

The Key Cards

The set opens with the three Stooges themselves:

• #1 Curly

• #2 Moe

• #3 Larry

These three portrait cards are the set's keys, and #1 carries the extra condition sensitivity of every first card. Beyond the portraits, collectors look for strong gag cards featuring all three Stooges together, the images that capture what fans love about the act.

The Checklist-Back Variations

This is the detail that separates the Stooges set from most 1950s issues. A handful of cards exist with a checklist on the back instead of the usual text and graphics. Cardboard Connection lists three: #16, #63 and #64. These checklist-back variations are extremely rare and are among the most desirable post-war entertainment cards. A complete set "plus all three checklists" is a true high-end achievement.

If you find one, have it authenticated and graded. If a seller claims one, verify the back carefully. Normal backs and checklist backs are completely different designs.

Condition Issues to Inspect

• Centering. Many cards are cut off-center.

• Corner and edge wear, the usual price of a 1950s card that was carried and traded.

• Surface wear and creases, which show clearly on the colorized photos.

• Gum and wax stains on the backs.

• Print registration. Colorized photos depend on clean color layers. Out-of-register cards look muddy.

High-grade examples are hard to find, and graded high-grade singles command strong premiums over typical copies.

Building the Set

Start with the portraits. Lock in #1 Curly, #2 Moe and #3 Larry in the best condition you can afford.

Choose a condition band. A matched set in VG to EX looks great and is achievable. A high-grade set is a long-term project.

Treat the checklist backs as a separate goal. Most collectors build the 96-card base set. The checklist-back variations are an advanced project for master-set builders.

Grade the keys. Grading makes sense for the three portraits, the strongest gag cards and anything high grade. Mid-grade commons are usually best left raw.

Why the Stooges Endure

Many 1950s entertainment sets depend on buyers who remember the show from childhood. The Three Stooges are different. Their shorts have run on television for decades, and new fans keep discovering them. That broad, multigenerational appeal is a big reason this set has held collector interest better than many of its contemporaries.

Storage and Display

Standard vintage sleeves and toploaders fit these cards. Nine-pocket binder pages keep a set in order. For display, a frame with the three portrait cards and a favorite gag card makes a great piece for any collector's wall. Use UV-protective glass to keep the colorized photos from fading.

Wax Packs and Packaging

Fleer's 1959 Stooges packs are collected in their own right, and graded unopened packs are a high-end niche. Wrappers are also popular with Stooges collectors who want a display piece. As with any sealed vintage material, buy only from sources that can vouch for authenticity, because resealed packs exist across the hobby.

Who Buys Three Stooges Cards

The buyer base runs wider than most 1950s sets. Original collectors who opened packs in 1959 are joined by fans who discovered the shorts on TV in later decades and by collectors of classic comedy memorabilia. Cards showing all three Stooges together in a recognizable gag tend to sell fastest. The three portrait keys are the cards that every serious Stooges collector eventually wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1959 Fleer Three Stooges set?

The base set has 96 cards.

What are the key cards in the 1959 Three Stooges set?

The three opening portrait cards: #1 Curly, #2 Moe and #3 Larry.

What are the Three Stooges checklist-back cards?

A few cards were printed with a checklist on the back instead of the normal design. They're extremely rare and highly prized by advanced collectors.

Are the 1959 Fleer Three Stooges photos in color?

Yes. The fronts are colorized photos of the trio, with a caption at the bottom.

Were the Three Stooges cards reprinted?

Later Three Stooges card sets and reissues exist, so check the Fleer branding and the crown-numbered back on any card sold as a 1959 original.

Should I grade my Three Stooges cards?

Grade the portrait keys and any sharp, well-centered gag cards. Most mid-grade commons are better left raw.

Shop the Stooges at Crafted TCG

Browse 1959 Fleer Three Stooges cards at Crafted TCG. Every listing shows the front and back, so you can check the condition and the back design yourself.