March 30, 2023: Spring Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/30/2023
Presented is a near-complete set of one of the truly extraordinary Topps issues of the 1950s, the 2 5/8-by-3 5/8-inch All American Football set that pictured collegiate players at a time when the college game was near its peak in popularity relative to its professional counterpart the National Football League. With names like Jim Thorpe (SGC 3), Knute Rockne (SGC 6), Don Hutson (SGC 6) and The Four Horsemen (SGC 5.5) in slabs, the colorful issue provides a spectacular glimpse of the college game and a time when it boasted a roster of legendary figures that rivaled the NFL. The other slabbed card is No. 6 Kinnick – SGC 6; the three missing cards are No. 27 Red Grange, No. 66 Kinard and No. 85 Sid Luckman. The offered set is in a handsome, consistent presentation that is a bit better than this issue is typically encountered in mature collections: it comes out to 4 percent Near-Mint, 30 percent Ex-Mt, 25 percent Excellent and 30 percent Very Good, with only about nine percent below. Breakdown of keys: No. 1 Hickman – Very Good, 6 Kinnick – SGC 6, 10 Dudley – VG-Ex, 12 Graham – VG, 16 Rockne – SGC 6, 20 Baugh – Good, 21 White (Correct) – Ex, 26 Kelley – Good, 29 Nomellini – Fair, 35 Harmon Rookie – Good, 37 Thorpe – SGC 3, 38 Stagg Rookie – Good-Plus, 52 Lujack – VG-Ex, 56 Nevers Rookie – Ex-Mt-Plus o/c, 59 Blanchard – VG-Ex, 63 Justice – Excellent, 68 Horsemen – SGC 5.5, 78 Berwanger Rookie – Good, 84 Parker Rookie – Ex-Mt, 97 Hutson – SGC 6, 98 Feathers – Ex-Plus and 100 Henry Rookie – VG-Ex.
1955 Topps All American Football Near Set, Five Slabs (97/100)
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