Lot # 3277: 1951 Topps Ringside Boxing Near-Complete Set (86/96) Plus 41 Duplicates

Near-complete set (86 out of 96) of Topps "Ringside" plus 41 duplicates. Topps' first attempt at boxing cards was the 96-card "Ringside" boxing series issued in 1951. The exceptional artwork and the inclusion of boxing greats from all eras, such as Rocky Marciano, John Sullivan, Gene Tunney, Joe Louis, and Ray Robinson, among others, has always made this set one of boxing-card collecting's premier issues. Topps apparently found much greater success with baseball and football. This is confirmed both by the relative scarcity of "Ringside" cards, and the fact that this was the only Topps boxing set ever issued. The production quality of this issue, however, is equal or superior to that of all early 1950s bubble-gum cards issued by Topps or Bowman. Missing the following ten cards for completion: #15, 24, 32 Marciano, 34, 35, 39, 49 Murphy, 56 Gans, 88 Louis, and 95 Tunney. Condition is 36% Gd to Vg (including a few Vg-Ex) and 64% Pr to Fr. Keys: #1 Lesnevitch (Pr), two 11 Baer (both Pr), 27 Scalzo (hand cut from advertising panel, otherwise Pr), 43 Robinson (Pr), two 54 Jeffries (Gd and Fr), 69 Sullivan (Pr), and 96 Charles (Gd).  A presentable medium- to lower-grade collection of this classic 1950s Topps issue. Total: 127 cards (near set of 86 plus 41 duplicates). The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.