Hilton Smith was a long time Negro American League Player with the Kansas City Monarchs who had already hung up his spikes when he was included in the 1949-50 Toleteros Puerto Rican Winter League set. Elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 2001, Smith was known for his killer curveball and impeccable control. PSA 5 in grade, there are nine examples in their pop report, with this the highest graded card. A bright white looking specimen with nicely matched edges, barely tipped corners and a slight tilt, the image of Smith is fantastic. The reverse, with its bright red print, continues with the snowy look. 60. 1949-50 Toleteros Hilton Smith (HOF) - PSA EX 5 MINIMUM BID: $1,000
62. 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente (HOF) - PSA VG-EX 4
He was snatched for the Pirates from the Dodgers minor league system by an alert Branch Rickey and Roberto Clemente’s cards have seen a steady climb up the mountain of hobby superstardom in the more than 50 years (how is that possible?!) since his untimely and noble death. It seems his popularity grows with each passing year, befitting a man who was a humanitarian of the first order. His 1955 Topps rookie has become iconic and the object of serious pursuit among collectors. Issued in the classic “Giant Size” format by Topps, the look is unmistakably classic and even elegant. This PSA 4.5 showcases a colorful portrait of the Pittsburgh Hall-of- Famer is centered a tad low. Registration of the yellow ink layer is slightly off and there is some corner rounding seen. The reverse has toned slightly but remains bright.
61. 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays (HOF) - SGC VG 3
MINIMUM BID: $750
Willie Mays was in his second, brief season with the Giants in 1952 and serving in the U.S. Army by the time his card appeared in the 1952 Topps semi-high series. This example is SGC 3 in grade and was surely a treasured keepsake for a young Giants fan. Creased, scuffed and off-centered yes but the card is an all-timer with collectors. The reverse is fairly clean, with just a stray ink mark seen. Mantle, Robinson & Mays have become the “big three” in a set with plenty of big names. MINIMUM BID: $1,500
63. 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle (HOF) - PSA EX-MT 6
His Triple Crown imminent, just like his MVP award, Mickey Mantle looks quite invincible on his 1956 Topps card. Seen here in a PSA 6 holder, some corner wear, somewhat more visible in the horizontal upper right, can be observed. Nicely centered and colorful, you can almost feel excitement as Mantle goes up against the fence to take a homer away from some luckless batter. Two interlocked spots of staining can be seen along the lower reverse.
MINIMUM BID: $750
SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023 35
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