This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2019
Presented here is a one-of-a-kind 1957-58 Topps Basketball pair of original file copy sets, put together by The Topps Company over 60 years ago. At the time of the set's production, Topps pulled two complete sets for their in-house archive files. These would be the only cards from the 1957-58 Basketball issue that Topps would retain for their records. Inside the 40-page binder are 160 cards – 4 cards per page, two players each – neatly glued to each page with both fronts and backs side-by-side. The cards remain NM to NM-MT or better, just as they were placed in the binder so long ago. Seven cards have been held in place at the top or bottom end of the front facing card by one strip of clear tape. These are #13 Schayes, #21 Meinke, #25 Krebs, #28 Mikkelsen, #29 Naulls, #33 Costello and #36 Beck. Notable Hall of Famers (all technically their rookie cards) such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Paul Arizin, Dolph Schayes, Bob Pettit and Tom Heinsohn are without issue.
The pages to which the cards are attached are still in fine condition, having been reinforced around the ring holes at the time of mounting. The set is housed in its original 3-ring black binder with "BASKETBALL 1957" neatly imprinted on the spine that Topps Product Development Department Director Woody Gelman used to create a historical record of their creations. The set originally emerged from the Topps files at the spectacular Topps Company Archives Auction held at Guernsey's in New York City, August 19-20, 1989. A truly historical record of the landmark 1957 Topps Basketball issue and arguably the most important basketball archive sets ever to surface!
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.