Ted Williams was the greatest hitter who ever lived, and his 1956 Topps #5 card captures "The Splendid Splinter" in the later stages of his remarkable career. The 1956 Topps set is one of the most beloved designs of the decade, pairing a large portrait with a smaller action scene against a vibrant painted background.

The front shows a smiling Williams in his Boston Red Sox cap, while a smaller figure at right depicts him following through on his famous swing. The colors are bright, with a rich yellow and blue background and a handsome red "Red Sox" team name.

The reverse features a three-panel cartoon that recounts his career highlights, including his .406 season in 1941 and noting that he owns "the best B.A. of any active player." The statistics box records his career totals through 1955. This example features the scarcer white back variation. The white card stock presents brightly and cleanly, adding to its appeal.

Williams won six batting titles and two Triple Crowns, captured two American League MVP awards and retired in 1960 with 521 home runs and a .344 lifetime average. He lost nearly five full seasons to military service in World War II and Korea. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

The card displays excellent color and a sharp image. Light wear to the corners is consistent with the grade, and the reverse is clean. A desirable white back example of a classic Williams card. Graded EX 5 by PSA.