Lot # 974: 1952-1955 Dormand Postcards Near-Complete Master Set (48/55)

Presented is a near-complete master set of Dormand Postcards highlighted by thirteen Hall of Famers, including Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Whitey Ford, and Mickey Mantle (two different). A total of thirty-eight different players are represented in the Dormand set, with variations, both in pose and size, existing for several. This collection contains a complete basic set of all thirty-eight players plus ten variations. Missing the following seven postcards for completion of a master set: #101d/Rizzuto (9x12), 105 Collins/patch, auto. at top, 105 Collins/patch, auto. at bottom, 111 Mantle/bat on shoulder, blue back, 111 Mantle/bat on shoulder (6x9), 111 Mantle/bat on shoulder (9x12), and 114 Shantz/auto. angles downward. Also included are two minor variations (back variations for #103 Lopat and Mize) that are not considered necessary for completion of a master set and two postally used duplicates (#132 Noren and 140 Skowron). Five postcards are blank-backed, three of which display "ghost" prints on the reverse. The postcard of Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter (#133) is autographed. Dormand Postcards were produced by photographer Louis Dormand by special order for selected players from several teams, including the Yankees and Dodgers, for use by players to honor fan requests for photos and autographs. Postcards were available one for ten cents, three for a quarter, or fifteen cards for a dollar. The large-format cards were advertised for fifty cents each, and the far more expensive cost no doubt accounts for their much greater rarity today. Condition is 19% Ex or slightly better, 59% Vg to Vg-Ex, and 23% lesser (including two trimmed and three with color added). Keys: #101a Rizzuto/large autograph, parallel to top (Vg-Ex), 101b Rizzuto/small autograph (Vg+), 101c Rizzuto/large autograph, diagonal (Vg-Ex), 102 Berra (Vg+), 111 Mantle/batting stance (slight trim, otherwise Vg-Ex), 111 Mantle/bat on shoulder, green back (Ex+), 112 Mize/blue back (Ex), 112 Mize/blank back (Vg+), 113 Stengel/autograph at top (Vg+), 113 Stengel/autograph at bottom (Vg+), 115 Ford (partially erased pencil writing on reverse, otherwise Vg-Ex), 125 Campanella (Vg+), 127 Reese (color added, otherwise Ex), 129 Hodges (Vg-Ex), 130 Martin (Vg-Ex), and 133 Slaughter (signed on reverse, postally used, otherwise Vg). While a number of recent finds have increased the known population of several subjects dramatically, most subjects are very hard to find, and it is extremely rare to see a complete or near-complete set offered at one time. Total: 52 cards (near-complete master set of 48 plus two minor variations and two duplicates). Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.