March 25, 2021: Spring Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/25/2021
This is simply an outstanding array of an important mid-1950’s Topps football issue, the classic 1955 Topps All-America issue that featured 100 cards in the then-standard size of 2 5/8-by-3 ¾ inches featuring the great college football stars of that and earlier eras. The group is in markedly better condition than these important cards are typically found in mature collections, essentially Excellent to Near-Mint, with fully 78 percent falling within that range and only 10 cards below, mostly to VG-Ex or Very Good. The group, with some minimal duplication, is headlined by a half dozen Hall of Famers – Bill Dudley, Leo Nomellini, Mel Hein (2), Ernie Nevers and Ace Parker – along with several other important Rookies and Shortprints. At a time when the college game probably rivaled its professional counterpart for the allegiance of serious football fans, Topps stuck its big toe into the football card waters with this remarkable issue that includes key cards of iconic college (and later professional) superstars. The breakdown: Near-Mint (1): No. 18 Heffelfinger Rookie; Ex-Mt-Plus (13): No. 9 (3), 10 Dudley, 19 Smith (3), 29 Nomellini, 30, 38 Stagg, 42 (2) and 88; Ex-Mt (14): No. 11 (2), 21 White (2), 22, 25, 28 Hein, 66, 83, 86, 88 (3) and 99; Excellent (7): No. 19 Smith, 21 White (2), 45, 50 and 86 (2); Very Good to Excellent (6): No. 22, 28 Hein, 38 Stagg, 54, 55 and 83; Very Good (2): No. 18 Heffelfinger Rookie and No. 56 Nevers m/c; Good: No. 84 Parker; and Fair: No. 19 Smith.
1955 Topps All American High-Grade Group With HOFers (45)
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