1965 Topps Battle: A Collector's Guide

Sixty-six Norman Saunders paintings of World War II, in the tradition of Civil War News and Horrors of War.

Three years after Civil War News and Mars Attacks, Topps turned Norman Saunders loose on World War II. The 1965 Battle set is 66 cards of dramatic, often gory paintings of the war, with Axis forces drawn as villains straight out of a silent movie. It completes a trio of war-themed sets, along with Gum, Inc.'s Horrors of War and Topps' Civil War News, that many vintage collectors build together.

The Set at a Glance

• Issuer: Topps.

• Cards: 66.

• Fronts: Painted by Norman Saunders, the artist behind Mars Attacks.

• Backs: Orange, with an illustrated soldier on one side and a long write-up in a white text box.

• Insert: A 24-card Cloth Emblem set, one per pack.

The Checklist

The first 53 cards are war "scenes": battles, raids and dramatic moments, many exaggerated for effect. The final cards cover the fighting forces and Allied leaders and include two checklists. Collectors look for:

• #1 Fight to the Death, the opening card.

• #2 Attack on Pearl Harbor.

• #3 Execution at Dawn.

• #33 Nazi Terror and #37 Jungle Execution.

• #44 The Torture Chamber and #52 Flames of Death.

• #53 Beautiful Spy, a popular card that closes the scenes.

• #63 President Franklin Roosevelt, among the leader cards.

The Cloth Emblem Inserts

Every pack included one Cloth Emblem card from a 24-card set of military unit insignia. They're considered tough to find in good condition today. A complete base set with all 24 emblems is a serious achievement.

The Art

Saunders' painting is the reason to collect this set. As with Mars Attacks and Civil War News, the scenes are bloody and sensational, amplifying real events for maximum drama. The Axis villains are cartoonishly evil, and the heroes are square-jawed and fearless. It's 1960s storytelling, not history, and it's wonderful pulp art.

Why Condition Is Tough

Poor printing is a known problem with this set. Bleeding colors and weak registration mean many cards haven't held up well. Inspect for:

• Color bleeding and registration problems on the painted fronts.

• Centering, often off.

• Corner and edge wear.

• Gum and wax stains on the orange backs.

• Creases and surface wear.

Cards with sharp color and clean registration stand out clearly from typical copies.

The A&BC Version

A British company, A&BC, issued its own version of Battle. Some collectors report that it replaces certain American-focused cards with British subjects. If you're building the U.S. Topps set, check the back for the issuer.

Building the Set

Prioritize print quality. In this set, a card with crisp color often matters more than one with slightly sharper corners.

Lock in the keys. Get #1, #2 and #53 in strong condition first.

Plan for the emblems. Decide early whether you're adding the 24 Cloth Emblems, and buy them separately from the base cards.

Build the war trio. Collectors who love Battle often add Civil War News and Horrors of War. Together they show how three decades of card makers depicted war for kids.

Grade selectively. High-grade keys and well-printed cards are the best grading candidates.

Storage and Display

Standard sleeves and toploaders fit the cards. Store Cloth Emblems flat, without pressure on the cloth. For display, a frame of Saunders' most dramatic scenes makes a striking piece of pulp art, and UV-protective glass keeps the colors from fading.

Pricing Battle Cards

Most Battle singles are affordable, and the set is achievable in mid-grade. Premiums go to the opening cards, the popular scenes such as Beautiful Spy, and any card with strong print quality. Because poor printing is so common, two cards with the same grade can look very different, so study the photos closely. The Cloth Emblems have their own market, and complete emblem sets are scarce.

Who Collects Battle

Battle appeals to Norman Saunders collectors, war-card collectors and fans of 1960s pulp art. Saunders collectors in particular often build Battle alongside Mars Attacks, Civil War News and the 1966 Batman painted sets, since together they represent much of his trading card work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1965 Topps Battle set?

Sixty-six base cards, plus a 24-card Cloth Emblem insert set.

Who painted the 1965 Topps Battle cards?

Norman Saunders, the artist who also painted Mars Attacks and much of Civil War News.

Why do so many Battle cards look poorly printed?

The set is known for weak printing and bleeding colors, which is why well-printed copies are prized.

Was there a British version of Battle?

Yes. A&BC issued a version in Britain, and collectors report that it swaps in some British subjects. Check the issuer on the back.

Are the Cloth Emblems part of the base set?

No. The 24 Cloth Emblems are a separate insert set, one per pack.

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