This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/11/2016
Willie Mays never made it onto a baseball diamond in 1953, trading in his baseball uniform for a U. S. Army uniform, but that wasn't going to stop Topps from including one of the game's most popular players and brightest stars in their '53 series, just as they had done the previous year. In fact, they took it a step further by using his popularity and short-printing the card to help push sales of the high-number series, which had received a poor reception in the previous season's inaugural issue. This near perfectly centered example has earned a lofty if not conservative grade of 86 NM+ 7.5 by SGC. Impressive NM/MT corners provide the foundation for a positively breathtaking image of the up and coming New York Giants outfielder, boasting a delightfully accurate image for the issue as well as an impressively clean surface. Other than the usual chipping along the black bordered edge, this beauty flaunts a bone-white, problem-free frame. A high quality specimen!