October Legends Closing October 27,2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2018
This visually charming and extremely scarce unopened container represents, in a poignant, symbolic manner, the cornerstone of Topps' baseball card dynasty. And who could have known, that the quirky little player cards inside would be just the sparks needed to ignite so many collectors' dreams and ambitions? Not allowing themselves to be distracted by the inclusion of gum – even though that substance formed the core of their existing business – the Topps Company's decision-makers sought to penetrate Bowman's market on the strength of creativity and value. The '51 Red Backs were proffered as "Doubles" ("2 Cards in Every Pack for 1¢") and bright green and red display box graphics – wonderfully intact on the offered survivor – reinforced the prospect of sheer delight within. Engaging in a real "game," with pieces depicting Berra and Feller? Who could resist? These "Baseball Playing Cards" dangled an appeal far more kinetic in nature than their competing and dull-by-comparison "Trading Card" or "Photo Card" counterparts. Poised to inspire a thrilling nostalgia ride that will be readily felt by all generations of enthusiasts, this 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" x 1-3/4" display piece has retained its full measure of 120 sealed, 1¢ wax packs. These fresh packages can be expected to contain never-touched specimens of such desirable Red Backs as #'s 5 Rizzuto, 8 Wynn, 15 Kiner, 30 Spahn and 38 Snider, among others. The two-part box features completely legible advertising on every aspect. (These include the cryptic "Collect the Deck - Winner Deals!" slogan. How, exactly, did that work?) To view this superlative counter-sales unit, still stuffed with its tempting "Doubles," is to experience firsthand a feel for the hobby's beginning. The '52 Mantles, the '55 Clementes, the '67 Seavers—as well as the rookie cards of Clemens, Sandberg, Boggs and countless others – owe their very existence to these trailblazing Red Backs.
The survival of an intact counter-sales unit of this extraordinary quality is simply amazing. As one might expect, though, the circumstances that enabled its incredible state of preservation are not without their costs. It's probable that during the container's decades of repose – perhaps in a warehouse, or attic? – excessive heat was a feature of the surrounding environment. Quite likely, it was this unfortunate condition that brought about minor compromises to the individual packs' delicate seals. Thus, although the internally housed card and wrapper components of the box are fully undisturbed, their associated wax layers are a bit loose, or sometimes mildly irregular in appearance. In view of this, it must be conceded that the submission of packs to the third-party grading process would probably result in unfavorable outcomes. Nonetheless, this box and its contents are aesthetically and emotionally stimulating in the extreme, and the piece constitutes a truly exceptional offering.