398. 1954 Topps Complete Set (250) MINIMUM BID: $2,000
The 1954 Topps issue was the company’s first to employ two different pictures of each subject on the card front, an oversized portrait dominating the majority of the card with a smaller “action” shot superimposed near the lower corner. Each card also included a team logo. The set’s distinctive design remains attractive to collectors today, with a color background (in most cases) framed on three sides by white borders. The cards’ larger size makes them susceptible to a variety of wear-related condition issues, and they are notoriously difficult to find properly centered. Most important, however, is the inclusion of several key rookie cards, notably Ernie Banks, Al Kaline, Tommy Lasorda, and of course, Hank Aaron. Several of the cards from this issue, led by the Aaron but also paced by cards of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Kaline and Banks are currently skyrocketing in value, driving the price of the set northward at a rapid rate. The set presented here is strong, largely clean, the majority of the cards chosen for their overall eye appeal. A condition breakdown of the set would find 3% EX/MT or better, 9% EX, 26% VG/EX, 44% VG, 15% GOOD with 3% lesser. Many have eye appeal that surpasses the technical grade, with themajority of the condition flaws relating to centering or corner wear. A breakdown of the issue’s key cards, including several which have been graded by PSA, is #1 Williams (PSA VG-EX 4), #3 Irvin (VG), #10 Robinson (F), #13 Martin (PSA EX-MT 6), #17 Rizzuto (VG-EX), #20 Spahn (G), #30 Mathews (F), #32 Snider (PSA GOOD 2), #36 Wilhelm (PSA EX-MT+ 6.5), #37 Ford (PF), #45 Ashburn (G), #50 Berra (P), #70 Doby (VG), #90 Mays (F), #94 Banks (PSA EX 5 MC), #128 Aaron (PSA GOOD 2), #132 Lasorda (PSA VG-EX+ 4.5), #183 Combs (VG-EX), #187 Manush (VG), #201 Kaline (PSA VG 3), #205 Sain (PSA VG-EX+ 4.5), #250 Williams (PSA 4). The Aaron is particularly clean and well-centered for the grade, the primary condition flaws relating to edge wear and a light ink smudge in the left border area. The 1954 Topps issue is growing rapidly in popularity due to its important rookies and early cards of Hall of Famers, highly desirable for its attractiveness and large assortment of stars. 250 cards total.
399. 1956 Topps #33 Roberto Clemente (HOF - Gray Back) MINIMUM BID: $250
400. 1957 Topps #95 Mickey Mantle (HOF) - PSA EX 5 MINIMUM BID: $250
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