Lot # 973: Extremely Rare 1952 Dixie Lids PSA-Graded Near-Complete Set (22/24)

Presented is an extremely rare near-complete set of 1952 Dixie Lids consisting of twenty-two different lids (out of 24 in the set), highlighted by Hall of Famers Ralph Kiner, Richie Ashburn, Bob Feller, Nellie Fox, Enos Slaughter, and Red Schoendienst. All twenty-two lids have been professionally graded and encapsulated by PSA. Missing only Irvin and C. Ryan for completion. Dixie Lids are one of the most fascinating of all food issues in that they were designed as tops for the company's line of ice-cream products and featured well-known sports and movie stars on the inside as a further enticement to young consumers. Originally created in the 1930s, the idea was revived in the early 1950s, but not without complications related to the first issue in 1952. Contractual difficulties with specific players slated to be featured in the set halted the release so long, in fact, that the next year's lids were already ready to be issued. Some believe that as a result, the 1952 set was scrapped entirely, resulting in no public issue, while others believe that a small quantity made it out the door as evidenced by the varying conditions in which they are found, including some with apparent ice-cream staining. Whatever the case, to this day examples from the 1952 set are extremely rare and this is the only second near-complete set that we have offered in the past 21 years. PSA Grading Composite: EX-MT 6 (8 lids): Byrne, Castiglione, Cox, Fain, Sauer, Schoendienst, Shantz, and Woodling. EX 5 (1 lid): Mueller. VG-EX 4 (2 lids): Cooper and Slaughter. VG 3 (2 lids): Kiner and Trucks. GOOD 2 (1 lid): Seminick. POOR 1 (3 lids): Carrasquel, Parnell, and Reynolds. Authentic (5 lids): Ashburn, Feller, Fox, Michaels, and Roe. Many surviving examples are found without the tabs (which prompted speculation that this made them unusable at the factory and prevented them from going out the door on product). Six of the lids in this set are missing the tab. This is a remarkable assembly of extremely attractive lids from this very rare 1950s food issue! Total: 22 lids. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.