Lot # 3832: 1968 Topps 3-D Jim Maloney PSA VG-EX 4 - Rare "No Dugout" Variation

Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. Extremely rare example of Jim Maloney's "no dugout" variation card from the 1968 Topps 3-D set. This card was produced with and without a dugout in the background. Almost all examples known have the dugout in the background. This “no dugout” card is one of just a handful known examples of Maloney that feature this significant and fairly dramatic though virtually unknown variation. The card appears Ex-Mt at a glance but has been appropriately downgraded to VG-EX due to two lines of surface scratching near the bottom-left border, which are not particularly distracting and are a typical flaw associated with cards from the set. This card probably long ago originated from someone who was involved in some manner with the production of the set at Xograph, the Texas-based company that worked with Topps to produce this test issue. Both for 1968 Topps 3-D cards' extreme rarity, as well as their very striking and unique design, advanced collectors have always held them in the highest esteem. This is a very rare and unusual variation card from this highly prized 1960s Topps test issue.