Stunning card from an original-owner collection, lightly handled but well cared-for since its year of issue. Prior to consigning, the owner submitted the card to BVG for grading, the card earning an EX+ grade. Well-centered for a card that frequently has centering problems, this example exhibits some light corner and surface wear but few other problems. One of the key cards in this important set, the second-year card of the “Say Hey” Kid. 80. 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays (HOF) – BVG EX+ 5.5 MINIMUM BID: $2,000 81. 1948-49 Toleteros Hilton Smith (HOF RC) – PSA GOOD 2
78. 1948-49 Toleteros Willard Brown (HOF RC) – PSA GOOD 2
Slugger and future Hall of Famer Willard Brown appears on this Puerto Rican winter league card at the cusp of finishing his career with the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the top Negro League franchises. Brown might have missed the heat and enthusiasm of winter ball, as he went on to play his next decade in Latin America and Texas, always hitting well. Many teammates said Willard played up to the crowd who attended, with packed houses getting the best player they’d seen. Cooperstown
inducted him for this excellence in 2006.
This PSA GOOD 2 presents better than its nominal collector grade, thanks to a strong image, good registration, and clean surfaces. Centering is nudged northward, without spoiling his portrait, and corners appear soft. It avoided the dreaded “glue residue” seen on so many winter league singles that were pasted or taped into a Toleteros album. The population report shows five total graded examples, so rarity plays a significant role in its overall value, as does its key status as his rookie card! Toleteros backs show a flipping game instead of a traditional checklist, with play results appearing on multiple player cards. “Free distribution” (in Spanish) implies cards were given out, perhaps to fans who attended games. Each winter league set of this era contains a number of Negro League stars, significantly increasing the historical value of surviving cards today!
Hall of Fame pitcher Hilton Smith appears on this Puerto Rican winter league card near the end of a lengthy career with Negro League and traveling teams throughout the Americas. His great control and pitch variety baffled batters year after year, including MLB hitters at a 1942 charity game, when Dizzy Dean’s All-Stars faced Hilton’s Monarchs. Despite that long tenure, this stately portrait is also Smith’s rookie card, making it an essential find for collectors focused on pre-integration stars!
MINIMUM BID: $1,500
Gorgeous, high-grade example of the rookie card of the Yankees’ legendary pitcher Whitey Ford. The grade assigned by PSA reflects a slight left-to- right centering issue along with some light corner touches, but the image is sharp with outstanding color. Though the 1951 Bowman issue is highlighted by the rookie cards of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, it also boasts a plethora of major stars and rookies, the card of Ford being one of the most important. 79. 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford (HOF RC) – PSA NM 7 MINIMUM BID: $1,000
The PSA GOOD 2 grade features an excellent look at the man himself, complemented by clear text on each side. Its corner rounding and modest edge wear are typical of Latin American sets, without taking much away from overall appeal. The back avoided glue or tape used to place cards into collector albums. Its population report contains just seven examples across all grades, reinforcing how few Toleteros survive today! The recent integration of Negro League stats with MLB’s own records places Hilton near the top of several career pitching marks, including win percentage and WHIP. Cooperstown inducted Smith in 2001 and continues to add stats and stories from the Negro Leagues’ long history, leaving a door open to elevate his stature even higher as new information comes to light.
MINIMUM BID: $1,000
FALL 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES NOVEMBER 29, 2025 47
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