This lot closes on June 26, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.

Graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. Hall of Famer. This is the great outfielder's first Topps gum card appearance. Among nearly 2,500 copies recorded in PSA's census reporting, fewer than a dozen examples have been placed at a higher, unqualified tier. Offered is an unbelievably fresh and original rendering of Topps' 1952 depiction of Willie Mays. Descriptions of high-grade cards naturally tend to expound upon the degree of preservation enjoyed by a particular specimen. Clearly, those aspects would be referenced in superlative terms here. The distinguishing features of this incredible Mays second-year card are found in its origins. This one was obviously superior to virtually all others at the time it left the factory. Seldom does a '52 Topps card deliver such brilliance of print or luster of surface. Blindingly precise distribution of color, jet-black lettering, crisp border elements and fantastic gloss are all immediately apparent. The card has been shielded against time's effects, yes, but this one was several levels above its counterparts on the very day it was made. And it has remained so. Pinpoint corners, quality centering, and a breathtaking aesthetic are all affirmed in this masterpiece. This is simply one of the finest 1952 Topps Mays confirmed in the hobby, in outstanding Near Mint to Mint condition.