July 15, 2021: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
This is an attractive partial set of the coveted 1959 Fleer Life of Ted Williams issue plus many duplicates, an array in essentially Excellent to Ex-Mint condition, with perhaps two dozen falling below and a similar number above to Near-Mint. About three dozen cards in the array have the customary gum stains that advanced collectors are familiar with in this issue. The 1959 Fleer issue was the company’s inaugural effort in producing major league baseball cards, which they launched with a five-year exclusive contract with the great Ted Williams as he approached the end of his fabled career. Fleer’s charming “Life of Ted Williams” set was sold in packs and through vending machines, offering an 80-card set of standard-size cards, with each and every one depicting Teddy Ballgame. The set is generally sold as “complete” with 79 of the 80 cards; No. 68 was withdrawn from production because of contractual conflicts with Topps. The 22 missing numbers are: No. 11, 13, 25, 28, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47, 51, 53, 55, 58, 60, 64, 70, 72 and 75. Breakdown of some of the significant duplication (three or more): No. 4 (6), 5 (3), 6 (4), 7 (5), 8 (5), 9 (4), 12 (4), 19 (6), 22 (4), 23 (5), 33 (4), 54 (5), 61 (5), 65 (4), 67 (3), 78 (6) and 80 (4).
1959 Fleer Life of Ted Williams Partial Set (57/79) and Extras (159)
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