(LOT 467)
Extremely Rare for the Grade 1952 Topps #146 Frank House "Yellow Tiger Logo" Variation (PSA 8)
"Highest Graded & One of Only 2 Known PSA 8 "Yellow Logo" Variations!!!... Presented here is unquestionably one of the most electrifying and "rare for the grade" post-WWII specimens, a PSA 8 Frank House 1952 Topps "Yellow Logo" variation subject that stands as the finest of its kind with only a single other PSA 8 specimen known to exist! The sheer beauty of our illustrious hobby is defined by those moments when a card so miraculous for the taking emerges, and this certainly suffices as one of those near-impossible circumstances. It is no secret that the iconic 1952 Topps set is the "Holy Grail" of ALL post-war sets, and arguably along with the T206 Monster, the finest compilation of any set within any era.

With a 407 "Basic" Set checklist and 553 "True Master Set" (as recognized by PSA) that includes all printing and back color variations/error cards, it stands at the summit of most collectors dream compilations. Yet, as is always the case for any baseball card issue, the curtain is never fully drawn on the possibility of additional 1952 Topps variations surfacing within the hobby. Simply stated, that 553 card Master Set tally as currently defined by PSA will always be subject for revision, and coincidently, the Frank House #146 "Yellow Logo" variation card presented here may just be the subject to nudge the Master Set listing to 554! For several years now, the collecting community has pondered the merited standing of the 1952 Topps yellow variation Frank House with regard to officially placing it as an additional Master Set subject. Even the renowned SCD Catalog editor Bob Lemke has written several informative blogs regarding its true place in the hobby as a 1952 Topps variation/error card.

It is Lemke's opinion, as well as a seemingly countless number of elite '52 Topps enthusiasts, that the Topps color-strippers in the pre-press department inadvertently did not add red ink to the yellow tiger logo, resulting in this variation/error subject. Assumingly, after a short period of time, the color error was found and corrected, with the appropriate version now reflecting the originally intended "orange" tiger logo. While the Master Listing has yet to be updated to include this "yellow logo" variation, we cannot imagine this change ultimately taking place and why not? Simply stated, there are a myriad of other printing/color errors within this landmark set including the heralded "Campos Black Star" subject that realizes staggering price tags in high grade, justifying why it does not seem reasonable to continue excluding the Frank House "yellow variation" as an official Master Set subject. The hobby is all too familiar with renowned cardboard "variations", especially within the 1952 Topps and T206 gatherings.

For example, the T206 set includes 524 subjects of which many variations count as separate subjects; the most famous of which include the majestic Joe Doyle and Magie variations. With the 1952 Topps set already incorporating a significant number of print and color anomalies within their master checklist, it certainly appears to be only a matter of time that the seldom surfacing Frank House "yellow logo" scarcity joins the elusive list of "official" 1952 Topps variations. The card itself emanates brilliant aesthetics that easily justify the grade, starting with a vividly registered House image. Sparkling facial hues, gleaming/clean surfaces, and the critical bold yellow tiger logo variation are the highlights of this virtually "unique for the grade" masterpiece. Near-perfect centering is only modestly compromised by an extremely diminutive "tilt" towards the upper right corner, with the four dazzling white borders complimented by a razor sharp perimeter.

The final exclamation point is an immaculate-like verso that completes this absolutely "pack-fresh" marvel. In closing, the hobby is already realizing higher pricing points for any 1952 Topps Frank House subjects depicting the obscure "yellow" tiger logo. We can only imagine what the market could eventually bear for this miraculous PSA 8 specimen at the moment when it officially joins the Master Checklist. Consider that a "Black Star" Campos in a similar PSA 8 holder has already sold for an extraordinary $35,000 fee. With the high-grade post-WWII market now realizing record breaking price tags seemingly every passing day, we could not even begin to estimate the ultimate value of a new color variation residing as one of the two finest specimens on the planet!

MIN BID $1,500
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