Lot # 1123: 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips Complete Set (10) Plus Willie Mays Test Card

Presented is a complete set of this scarce and distinctive early 1950s New York area regional issue. The "nooks and crannies" associated with the design of these die-cut cards make 1952 Coke Tips very condition-sensitive and technically high-grade examples particularly rare. Several of the cards in this set display smooth portions where the cards were pressed to lighten surface wrinkles and have been downgraded accordingly. Condition Report (10 cards): Hank Bauer (Vg-Ex), Carl Furillo (Gd+), Gil Hodges (Vg), Ed Lopat (Vg), Gil McDougald (Ex+), Don Mueller (Vg-Ex+), Pee Wee Reese (Gd+), Bobby Thomson/3rd Base (Vg-Ex), Bobby Thomson/hitting (Vg-Ex+), and Wes Westrum (Vg). These are striking, colorful, and uniquely designed regional cards. The lower portion of each card features the home schedule of the Yankees, Giants, or Dodgers (depending on the team affiliation of the player pictured). The reverse of each features detailed playing tips. These unusual cards were issued one card per old-fashioned six-pack cardboard container of Coca-Cola, stuck in with the bottles. This is a very attractive complete set of this early 1950s regional issue, which receives little attention but has always been held in very high esteem by advanced collectors, both for its extreme rarity as well as for its very striking and unique design. Also included is an example of Hall of Famer Willie Mays from the extremely rare 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips test set. Many consider the 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips test set to be among the rarest of all regional cards. There are only four cards in the set (representing two players, Mays and Rizzuto) and obviously Mays is the key card. This is only the fourth Willie Mays example that we can recall offering in the last 20 years! The front of the card pictures a young "Say Hey Kid" holding a bottle of the endorsed product and the back features a detailed biography of Mays instead of playing tips. While offering a presentable appearance from the front, the card is in Poor condition overall and displays a trim of the upper-left corner. Total: 11 cards (complete set of 10 plus test issue card).