Lot # 875: 1948-1949 Leaf Short Print "Rare Leaf" Collection (20)

Offered is a collection of 20 (including 19 different) "Rare Leafs" from this classic set. The first color baseball cards of the post-World War II era were produced by Chicago's Leaf Gum Company in 1948. Forty-nine cards in the set are considered "standard," and the additional "short print" series of forty-nine cards in the set are so rare that "Rare Leafs" has long been a formal card-collecting hobby term. Leafs are without question one of the toughest postwar sets to complete because of all the rare cards. The collection consists of the following: #13 Michaels (Pr), 33 Lowrey (Gd+), 45 Keltner (Fr-Gd), 51 Dark (Pr-Fr due to glue on reverse), 55 Henrich (upside-down and miscut reverse, otherwise Pr), two 62 Joost (Vg and Pr), 66 Grove (Pr due to tape remnants), 85 Philley (Gd), 131 Sid Gordon (Pr), 133 Holmes (Fr), 137 Walker (Gd), 143 Sisler (Pr), 146 Reiser (Pr), 149 Majeski (Pr-Fr), 153 Baker (Pr-Fr), 158 Brecheen (Pr-Fr), 160 Scheffing (Vg), 165 Mitchell (Gd), and 168 Cavarretta (Gd+). This is a pleasing medium- to lower-grade group composed exclusively of short prints, which could serve as significant additions to the assembly of a complete set. Total: 20 cards.