This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2018
Just like his crosstown counterpart in the Bronx, centerfielder Willie Mays appeared in the 1952 Topps set having already debuted in the Bowman series the prior season. But with Mickey Mantle's '52 Topps card soaring to astronomical prices, partly due to his stunning popularity but also because his card, unlike Mays', was placed in the dreaded high-number series. At any rate, this 1952 Topps card of Willie Mays presents plenty of charm on its own, the sharp image of the up and coming superstar surrounded by a deep blue-purple backdrop that brings out the brightness of the white borders. This one is centered to the left, keeping the grade restrained at PSA 5 though the surface quality and perimeter strength actually merits a half to full grade increase. A very key card for any Mays collector or mid-grade set builder.