Lot # 3110: 1951 Topps Ringside Boxing Complete Set (96) Plus Wrapper

Complete set of Topps "Ringside." 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. Condition of the set is 78% Vg to Vg-Ex (including a couple Ex) and 22% lesser. Keys: #1 Lesnevitch (Vg+), 32 Marciano (slight trim to left edge, otherwise Vg), 43 Robinson (Pr due to tape on reverse), 49 Murphy (pen mark and tiny spots of paper loss on reverse, otherwise Ex), 54 Jeffries (Gd), 56 Gans (Vg), 69 Sullivan (Gd), 88 Louis (Vg), 95 Tunney (Pr), and 96 Charles (Vg). The set is accompanied by an original five-cent wrapper which offers a very presentable appearance while technically grading very modestly due to a tear and missing piece at the bottom border. This is an attractive medium- to lower-grade complete set of this classic 1950s Topps boxing issue. Total: 96 cards plus wrapper.