Whenever I come across an uncut sheet or even just a panel from the iconic 1952 Topps baseball set, I make a point to share it; they’re that important to the hobby’s history. Mastro offered this particular example in their May 2000 Fine Sports Auction, and it really highlights how gorgeous the set’s cards are.
Here’s the panel’s description from the catalog:
A few years ago there entered the hobby a meaningful quantity of what were called “semi-high” numbers from ’52 Topps baseball. In more refined terms, these were the 58 designs immediately preceeding the much-storied high numbers. They numbered from 253 through 310 and are, appropriately, the fourth series of the production. Prior to that discovery, cards from that fourth series had gained marked respect in the collecting community as their availability was distinctly less than cards from any of the earlier series. Not emerging with that latter day cache of fourth series cards was any corresponding panels or sheets. This then, is a 15 card panel from that tougher series. As is evidenced in our photo for this sheet, none of that series’ few Hall of Famers are included, but ’52 Topps enthusiasts will not be deterred by the omission. This is a marvelous artifact of the fabled set. The panel bears light evidence in three corners of album mount. The lower left corner is torn at an approximate hypotenuse of 5/8″ which encroaches the black frame of Lou Sleater. The delicate missing piece however, has been preserved! much like Van Gough’s ear. And the enterprising winner of this beautiful panel, may care to affix this piece. The panel’s backs are complete and clean. And finally, the surface of all images are clean, there being but one superficial crease, about an inch long, on the Steve Bilko card. This would be a great accessory to a quality holding of ’52 Topps.
Does anyone have more information about the quantity of semi-high-numbered cards Mastro was referring to in the first sentence? Let me know if you do. Also, I couldn’t find this exact copy anywhere else, so let me know if you’ve seen it.
Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more, and happy collecting!