Finally building one of my favorite sets or My 1963 Topps Astronauts Needs List

I have always loved the 1963 Topps Astronauts set because it pre-dated the famous Apollo program and so we are strictly dealing with Gemini-era astronauts that sometimes get overlooked in their importance in reaching the moon.

There is a wide range in value for mint cards but most "loved" versions (like my John Glenn "Space Hero" above) can be found for $10 and less if you have patience in searching on eBay. The set is 55 cards in size (plus a set of 3-D glasses that help you see an image on the reverse side of the card) just like the  1962 Mars Attacks series from the previous years. There is a also a reverse side variation that features an add for Popsicles instead of the 3-D image.

1963 Topps Astronaut Needs List

Updated: 7-25-20

1 Picking the Astronaut Team
2 Floating Astronauts [Regular and Popsicle background]
3 Testing the Chimps
4 In Orbit
5 Recovery Training
6 Space Explorers
7 The Seven Astronauts
8 Takeoff Inspection
9 Training the Astronaut
10 Astronaut Alan Shepard
11 The First US Astronaut
12 Awaiting the Take-Off
13 Shepard in Space
14 Picking Up Shepard
15 Successful Recovery
16 Carrying the Capsule
17 Back from Space
18 Astronaut Virgil Grissom
19 Reporting New Information
20 Spacesuit Checkup
21 Grissom in Space
22 Putting on a Space Helmet
23 Putting on His Parachute
24 Grissom in a Pressure Suit
25 Final Checkup
26 Grissom Awaits Countdown
27 Grissom Gets Ready
28 2nd US Spaceman
29 Grissom Blasts Off
30 Grissom in Space
31 Mercury Atlas 4
32 Astronaut John Glenn
33 Glenn and the F-106
34 Space hero
35 Glenn & Grissom
36 Taking a Break
37 Rest Day for Glenn
38 Getting Into the Suit
39 Checking His Suit
40 Inside the Test Chamber
41 Glenn in Training
42 Posing for Photographers
43 Studying His Maps
44 Before Glenn's Take-Off
45 Glenn in Space
46 1st Man in Orbit
47 Glenn Meets the President
48 Our 1st Spacemen
49 Astronaut Carpenter
50 Carpenter Checks His Suit
51 Astronaut Donald Slayton
52 Astronaut Gordon Cooper
53 Astronaut Walter Schirra
54 Astronauts in Flight Suits
55 Checklist

Extra: 3-D glasses