Lot # 2512: 1951 Topps Red Backs Partial Set (35/52) Plus 32 Duplicates and Wrapper

Presented is a collection of 1951 Topps "Red Backs" consisting of a partial set (35 out of 52) plus thirty-two duplicates and one original wrapper. The landmark "Red Backs" set is extremely significant as this was one of the first major baseball-card sets ever issued by Topps. Missing the following seventeen cards for completion: #1 Berra, 5 Rizzuto, 6 Reynolds, 9, 15 Kiner, 22 Feller, 24 Bauer, 25, 30 Spahn, 31 Hodges, 32, 37, 38 Snider, 41, 48, 50 Irvin, and 52 Holmes. Condition is 16% Ex-Mt to Nr/Mt, 14% Vg-Ex to Ex, 39% Gd to Vg, and 31% Pr to Fr (including one trimmed). The original wrapper grades Fr due to tear. Keys: Two #8 Wynn (Vg and Fr-Gd), two 16 Roe (Vg and Pr), two 20 D. DiMaggio (Gd and Pr), 36a Zernial/Chicago (Vg-Ex), and 39 Kluszewski (Gd+ due to staining). Duplicates (32): #3, two 4, 8 Wynn, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 Roe, 17, 18, 19, 20 DiMaggio, two 23, 26, two 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, two 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, and two 51. This series represents Topps' first major effort in the baseball-card business. The 1951 "Red Backs" Topps series is among the most significant, yet overlooked, of all early Topps cards, and in our opinion represents an excellent value. Total: 67 cards (near set of 35 plus 32 duplicates).