December 1, 2016: Sports & Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/1/2016
This is an extraordinary opportunity to pick up the final 88 cards of the coveted 1972 Topps Football issue, a unique “high series” that Topps undertook with its football issue that in some respects mirrored the unusual events surrounding the ultra-scarce 1952 Topps baseball cards 20 years earlier. The third series football cards in 1972 were thought to receive little if any substantial distribution that fall and instead surfaced within the fledgling “hobby” channels a couple of years later, only in wax form. Much of the rare high series cards were funneled through a handful of early dealers, resulting in much of what is found of the issue decades later is in better condition than cards that were distributed in a more typical fashion. This remarkable assemblage nicely fits that description, with cards that are predominantly Near-Mint to Mint, with sharp corners, vivid color and good gloss. Most of the issue, perhaps five dozen or more cards, have the kind of centering ranges that might prompt a centering upgrade but don’t necessarily insist upon a formal off-center designation. That caveat extends to about 18 of the 24 cards in the All-Pro subset; most of the cards that reach an Excellent description are because of light wax stains, which could be removed, rather than corner wear. One card from the series – No. 304 Carroll Dale – has been third-party slabbed and authenticated, offering at PSA Mint 9 a nice glimpse of the kind of extraordinary condition that constitutes much of the broader group. A breakdown of keys and condition exceptions: No. 264 – Ex-Mt, 266 – Ex, 269 – Ex, 272 Griese All Pro – Nr-Mt o/c, 280 Lilly All Pro – Ex, 284 – Ex, 288 – Ex, 294 Checklist – Ex-Mt m/c, 298 – Ex, 300 Page – Nr-Mt to Mt o/c, 316 – Ex, 331 Morris – Good, 336 Marshall – Ex o/c and 344 Taylor – Nr-Mt to Mt o/c.
1972 Topps Football High-Grade Final Series (88)
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