This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/11/2016
It would be interest to know that with all the planning and innovative design that went into the implementation of Topps' inaugural series, how much time, if any, did the executives at Topps devote toward deciding who would lead off their premier collection as card #1. Having seen rival Bowman start off their 1951 series with the rookie card of future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, who posted a 9-1 record in his debut for the Yankees, and follow up with reigning A. L. MVP Yogi Berra in the pole position in their 1952 collection, you would have thought that Topps might follow suit by making a splash with a name like Mays, Robinson, or even Mantle as card #1. Nope, for reasons unknown, it was Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder Andy Pafko that was tagged, making him one of the most recognized "common" players in the baseball card world. The featured 1952 Topps card #1 is graded PSA 7 and sports the red back, brilliantly lighting up the clean cardboard reverse. The centering typically favors the lower right endpoint while the corners and edges have no trouble upholding the standard of NM quality. The image of Pafko shows excellent registration and a strong presence of deep Dodger blue color, all protected by a hearty layer of factory-fresh gloss. A fantastic example that will proudly lead off any high-grade 1952 Topps assemblage!