Lot # 4233: 1920 W545 "Leaders, Scenes, Insignias" Near-Complete "Leaders" Subset (78/80) Plus One High Number

Presented is a near-complete "Leaders" subset (78 out of 80) from the W545 "World War I Leaders, Scenes, and Insignia" strip-card series plus one high number (#83) and two duplicates (#39 and 44). Missing just #71 and 79 for completion. These colorful cards are referred to as "strip cards" because they were originally issued in uncut sheets or "strips" and were cut apart, as intended, with scissors. In the early days of the organized hobby, strip cards did not "get any respect." It is only in recent years that collectors have begun to appreciate the distinctive look and tremendous value these cards represent. Condition is 51% Vg to Vg-Ex, 17% Gd, 32% Pr to Fr. This set also includes #83 from the "Scenes" subset, which is in 1/99 T/B, otherwise Vg condition. Strip cards, of course, are by definition hand-cut, as intended, and are therefore often encapsulated by the third-party grading companies as "Authentic" even if they appear high grade, due to the cuts affecting a small portion of the cutting guidelines. REA grades strip cards slightly differently than the grading companies do. The grades we have provided above do not downgrade the cards for extremely minor cutting flaws which are natural to strip cards. If submitted to PSA or SGC, it is likely that some of these cards would grade only "Authentic." Total: 81 cards.