April 2, 2026: Spring Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2026
Offered is a spectacular, untouched Vending Box from Series Three of 1968 Topps Baseball, seemingly the first time this particular vending box has been submitted for public auction. With its’ pedigree from the legendary Larry Fritsch Collection, it is a remarkable offering that presents opportunities to pull blazing Mint condition monsters from one of the condition-sensitive Topps baseball issues from the 1960s. The startling realization remains that this box might yield a pristine, dare we say perfect or thereabouts, card from Mickey Mantle, the most beloved player of the postwar era, appearing here in his penultimate Topps card near the end of his fabled career; joining Mickey atop our metaphorical marquee is the coveted No. 247 Johnny Bench Rookie card, the second-most important (and expensive) Rookie card in that set. That’s enough to set any collector’s pulse aflutter, but the pacemaker also gets stressed from the rest of the lineup that includes the likes of Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Phil Niekro, plus the difficult Mike Marshall Rookie card. For those of you scoring at home, that’s nine Hall of Famers (let’s not quibble about Pete’s status) found within a single, 86-card Series (Nos. 197-283), including many of the most revered stars of the era. The prospect of untouched cards featuring the controversial “burlap” bordered beauties would seem to be an enticing one indeed. A winning bidder willing to poke through this heady treasure chest would need white gloves and maybe a bottle of champagne. The box has been authenticated and shrink-wrapped by Steve Hart of Baseball Card Exchange, who noted that this box originated from Larry Fritsch Cards.
1968 Topps Baseball 3rd Series Vending Box - Mickey Mantle Series! (500) (Fritsch/BBCE)
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