Tom Ruggie's 1952 Topps Autographed Collection Named 2026 PSA Baseball Set of the Year

Decades in the making, the 406-of-407 signed set represents one of baseball collecting's most extraordinary pursuits

TAVARES, Fla., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The autographed 1952 Topps baseball card collection of lifelong collector and Destiny Family Office Founder and CEO Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, has earned recognition as the 2026 PSA Baseball Set of the Year from among more than 157,000 registered baseball sets.

The entire legendary '52 Topps set consists of 407 cards and features some of the most recognizable names in baseball history, including Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Yogi Berra. Ruggie has acquired PSA authenticated signatures on 406 of the 407 cards. Card #342, Al Benton, is the final signature standing between Ruggie and completion of a pursuit that has spanned decades.

At the 2026 PSA Set Registry Awards Dinner in Rosemont, Illinois, during the National Sports Collectors Convention, Ruggie's accomplishment was commemorated with the presentation of a one-of-one custom canvas artwork created by artist Murray Henderson honoring the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. The piece features an authentic, embedded PSA-authenticated Mickey Mantle cut autograph.

"This recognition means a lot to me," said Ruggie. "It wasn't something I applied for, and I was absolutely surprised when I was notified my set was being honored. I started collecting autographed sports cards five decades ago as a child because I loved the hobby."

Ruggie didn't set out to build an entire signed '52 Topps set. After securing the massive anchor stars of the '52 Topps set, including the iconic Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Jackie Robinson, he looked at his binder and realized how close he was. He decided, "I've come this far. I might as well go for the whole thing."

Finding the remaining players grew increasingly difficult. More than 70 years have passed since the set was first issued, and many of the players died before signed sports cards became an established collecting category. Some signatures are exceptionally scarce.

"Collecting teaches you patience," said Ruggie, whose broader collection spans sports cards, historic memorabilia, original sports art and entertainment artifacts. "Sometimes you have to wait years for the right piece to surface. You have to know what you're looking for and be willing to wait. The pursuit is a big part of what makes collecting exciting and meaningful."

Ruggie's passion for collecting has intersected with his role as CEO of Destiny Family Office. He has been increasingly recognized as a collector who advises high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth collectors whose passion assets are a meaningful component of their financial portfolio. He is not commenting on the collector experience from the sidelines. He has lived it for decades and understands firsthand both the emotional connection collectors have to what they've built and the increasingly complex considerations that surround a significant collection that has become part of a family's wealth and legacy.

"A great collection is rarely just a group of assets," Ruggie said. "There are memories, relationships and years of pursuit behind it. Building a world-class collection is one challenge. Managing one as part of a family's wealth is another. Passion and financial significance can exist side by side."

For Ruggie, the PSA recognition marks a milestone, but not the end of the story. There is still one card to find. Al Benton, #342.

And the hunt continues.

About Tom Ruggie
Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, is Founder and CEO of Destiny Family Office and a lifelong collector of sports cards, memorabilia, original sports art and other significant collectibles. His collecting experience spans five decades and informs his work advising collectors and families at the intersection of collecting, wealth and legacy.

About Destiny Family Office
Destiny Family Office is a multi-family office and independent, SEC-registered investment advisor. Founded by Thomas H. Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, InvestmentNews 2025 and 2026 Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments, Destiny Family Office has put a strong emphasis on providing access to alternative and direct investment opportunities for Qualified Purchasers.

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Family Office, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Destiny Family Office or its firms are engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Destiny Family Office.

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SOURCE Destiny Family Office