LOT #80763 |
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1962 Topps Baseball (First Series) Wax Box with Twenty-Four Unopened Packs! ...
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Sold on Nov 16, 2023 for:
$240,000.00
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Description
Validated and sealed by Steve Hart & Baseball Card Exchange.
1962 Topps Baseball (First Series) Wax Box with Twenty-Four
Unopened Packs! Baseball in the 1950s truly became our national
pastime. Not even the loss of two New York-area teams could reduce
the swell of competitiveness, which reached a climax in 1961 when
two pinstriped heroes put on a Home Run contest that would forever
change the game. For a generation who followed baseball through
trading cards, 1962 were the first cards produced that followed the
Maris/Mantle feat of Ruth-ian proportion, and they lit a fire for
the new season with the belief that anything was possible.While there may not have been any on the field miracles in '62, this complete box is an off the field miracle. Somehow and for some reason the baseball gods bestowed this treasure to watchful eyes who have quietly and carefully passed it down until now - 61 years later! The box originated from the stock of a grocery store in the Utica, New York area and was kept by the family who owned the store until circa 1990, when it was acquired by our consignor.
The math tells us there are 120 cards contained within the twenty-four packs of five, resulting in the probability of a complete run of the initial run of 88 cards. Topps took full advantage of the events from '61 by starting off the set with the '61 Home Run King - Roger Maris - who of course is featured on the AL Home Run Leaders card with fellow Yankee Mickey Mantle. It would be series three before Mantle makes his featured card appearance. The roster is packed with no less than thirteen Hall of Famers and a collection of stars that would make the Milky Way jealous. Cards featuring Cooperstown enshrines include: Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Managers' Dream (Mantle, Mays), Jim Kaat, Ernie Banks, Minnie Minoso, Casey Stengel, Eddie Mathews, Orlando Cepeda, Brooks Robinson, Stan Musial, Harmon Killebrew, Nellie Fox and Gil Hodges, not to mention the ten Leaders cards with appearances by Kaline, Clemente, Mantle, Killebrew, Mays, F. Robinson, Spahn, Ford, Koufax, Drysdale, etc... You get the idea. That is just the Hall of Famers. Other notable stars include Roger Maris, Richardson, Harvey Haddix and Pinson. And don't forget the stamps!
Steve Hart/Baseball Card Exchange remarked this is the second '62 box he has authenticated in the last ten years! In any condition this box is an incredible discovery. What really adds to the astonishment is the fact that the outer box presents wonderfully with only modest wear. The interior packs were well preserved and a pleasure to behold. Each pack is glossy and adorned with vivid colors.
Auction Info
2023 November 16 - 18 Fall Sports Catalog Auction #50065 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2023
16th-18th
Thursday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 25
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,393
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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