This is one of two checklists from the 1956 Topps Baseball set. Long before the days of card grading and price guides, kids collected without any consideration of what their cards' values were. (I won't say they collected "for the fun of it", because I know I speak for many when I say that collecting with a mind toward value is fun too. It may have been simpler then, but whether it was better is debatable.)
When you got your checklists, well, you used them. Then perhaps you hopped on your bike and rode down the street to trade cards with your friend.
Perhaps it was 1956 and your friend's name was Jimmy. If so, you have my sympathies.
I acquired this card from Paul Hamilton several years ago. I don't remember whether Jimmy was someone he knew, or if it was a card he picked up from someone else along the way.
Whoever this collector was apparently was burned by Jimmy -- and he was not going to let it happen again. Would love to know the story, but oh well.
Values in present day revolve around a card's condition, and that is especially true when it comes to checklists. Because someone writing all over it in pen is kind of a deal-breaker for condition's sake. Cards as old as these are especially rare unmarked. You got them, you used them -- and if you got doubles they were headed for your bike spokes (or the trash).
Still, there are 852 of these Series 2/4 1956 checklists graded by PSA. No 10s, but 14 9s and 101 8s. I guess not everyone trashed them. That's pretty amazing. Another checklist from the '56 Topps set lists players from Series 1 and 3. Back then the cards were produced and sold that way, by series. You can spot many stars and Hall of Famers on this checklist, including Willie Mays (No. 130) and Mickey Mantle (No. 135). This guy apparently had those cards -- until perhaps, Jimmy.
There are a couple of these listed on eBay, both badly marked up. Asking price in the $30 range. That's a tough way to spend $30 if you ask me. Better just to wait for an unmarked copy.
Mike Schopp