Lot # 1346: 1957 Topps Salesman-Sample Three-Card Advertising Panel with Roberto Clemente

From an original childhood collection, offered is a rare three-card salesman-sample advertising panel for the 1957 Topps series featuring cards #62 Billy Martin, 76 Roberto Clemente, and 12 Dick Groat on the front. Encapsulated and certified as Authentic by PSA. One of only two examples that have ever been graded by PSA (none by SGC) and the only example with Clemente we've ever offered. Salesman-sample panels were issued for use exactly as their name suggests: Salesmen were provided these panels in very limited numbers to show and distribute (in person or by mail) as samples to prospective vendors to illustrate what the upcoming series would look like in the hope of promoting sales. The front of the panel appears just like regular-issue cards, and the reverse features a small advertising pitch about the new product in one position and then a sample card back (in this case #87 Courtney) in another. Complete salesman-sample panels have always been extremely desirable and quite rare as they were obviously produced in very modest quantities due to their intended purpose of advertising only to vendors. The offered panel is extremely bright and clean, presenting as Very Good overall. The reverse is entirely clean. This is an exceptional Topps advertising panel that would be at home in any salesman-sample panel collection or would serve as an ideal companion piece to any 1957 Topps collection. Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.5 inches.