Extraordinary 1968 Topps Plaks Checklist #1 American League Uncut 11-Card Strip Including Kaline, Killebrew, Mantle, and Yastrzemski

Presented is an outstanding original uncut strip of eleven identical cards (#1 Checklist American League) from the extraordinarily rare 1968 Topps Plaks test set. Each card features color portraits of each of the twelve American League players in the set, including Mickey Mantle, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Jim Hunter, Frank Robinson, and Carl Yastrzemski. This is one of rarest sets of all 1960s Topps test issues. This set was never actually issued to the public, and fewer than 100 examples are known to exist. Decades ago a sheet existed that looked great but had much duplication (even though it was not a large sheet, only two cards comprise the 1968 Topps Plaks checklist card "set"), and the owner cut it up to satisfy the demand of collectors for individual cards. Miraculously, this uncut strip of 11 cards remained intact and is the only example we have offered in the past 22 years. (We are very familiar with this piece, as this item first appeared in REA's Fall 2022 auction.) The strip is bright and clean with vibrant colors, near-perfect registration, light to moderate creasing, and an irregular hand cut along the top and bottom edges. In Very Good condition overall. Despite these minor flaws, the strip, which measures 28-1/4 by 4-11/16 inches, offers a superb opportunity to acquire an almost never seen uncut strip of 1968 Topps Plaks Checklist #1 American League cards, in their original form as they were issued. This is one of the most interesting, attractive, and high quality of all Topps test issues. Ironically, this contrasts drastically with the quirky plastic Plaks themselves, which are being checklisted by these beautiful cards and which have a completely different charm to Topps test issue collectors. The checklist cards have been largely overlooked in the marketplace in part due to their rarity, but are a favorite of advanced star collectors who are aware of the set. This is an extraordinary uncut strip from this rare and substantial Topps test issue. Matted and framed to the total dimensions of 34.5 x 12 inches. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.