November 14, 2019: Sports & Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/14/2019
It’s arguably the greatest card set Topps ever produced, with postwar baseball elegantly depicted on horizontal treasures that neatly portray the great stars of the period, with a lineup here of 1956 Topps Hall of Famers (9) that is as imposing as the sterling condition of this dozen-plus array of cards. The headliner is a seemingly unimprovable Sandy Koufax second-year monster, leading the way on a Near-Mint to Near-Mint to Mint roster that also includes Warren Spahn, Luis Aparicio’s Rookie, Ted Kluszewski and the always difficult No. 340 Mickey McDermott, the final card of the epic issue and one rarely encountered in such a pristine state. Only a whisper below such a lofty condition designation are Koufax’s fellow Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Robin Roberts, Eddie Mathews and Early Wynn, all part of a spectacular grouping that would have to catch the discerning eye of a set collector. Here’s the breakdown: Near-Mint to Near-Mint to Mint (5) – No. 10 Spahn (White Back), 25 Kluszewski (Grey Back), 79 Koufax (White), 292 Aparicio Rookie and McDermott; Excellent-Plus to Near-Mint (4) – No. 2 Giles (Grey Back), 107 Mathews (Grey Back), 187 Wynn and 225 McDougald; Excellent to Excellent-Plus (4) – No. 15 Banks (Grey Back), 31 Aaron (Grey Back), 145 Hodges (Grey Back) and 180 Roberts (Grey Back); the final card in the array is a No. 181 Billy Martin that presents as Excellent or better but has a tiny, barely discernible paper wrinkle that would dictate a lower grade.
High-Grade 1956 Topps Baseball Hall of Famers and Stars, Killer Koufax (14)
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