Lot # 182: “Unique for the Grade” Willie Mays 1958 Hires Root Beer Test Subject/without /Tab (PSA NM+ 7.5) - “1 of 1” & the HIGHEST GRADED Example!

Category: 1950-1959

Starting Bid: $400.00

Bids: 13 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Break Rarities Auction 2019",
which ran from 3/14/2019 4:00 PM to
4/6/2019 7:00 PM




(LOT 182)
"Unique for the Grade" Willie Mays 1958 Hires Root Beer Test Subject/without /Tab (PSA NM+ 7.5) - "1 of 1" & the HIGHEST GRADED Example!

Here is another one of those "1 of 1" highest graded Willie Mays rarities that this amazing "Mays Fan Club Collection" offers the collecting community. Presented here is an absolutely miraculous PSA "NM+ 7.5" 1958 Hires Root Beer Test Card (without Tab) Willie Mays gem that stands ALONE on the PSA "Pop" Chart as the finest of its kind! Before, the rather obscure 1958 Hires Root Beer 66-subject cards were inserted in Hires Root Beer soda cartons, the company had "toyed' with an 8-subject TEST issue. The meager 8 "test" subjects were issued in small portions, with the Willie Mays card being the sole Cooperstown inductee of this extremely eclectic test issue. The basic card was attached to a wedge-shaped tab that served the twofold purpose of offering a fan club membership as well as advertising the 'How to Play Baseball" book. Finding the Willie Mays test card WITH its Tab is a near-impossible task, justified by PSA listing only two such encapsulated copies (a PSA 1 & PSA 6).

Most of the tabs were removed for redemption purposes whereby two bottle caps and 10 cents were sent to the Hires Root Beer Company to take advantage of the aforementioned rewards. Thus, serious Mays collectors place their focus on the still scarce 1958 test card without the easily removable Tab, with this "best of the rest" offering the undisputed premier example. The sensational Willie Mays' black & white batting illustration is virtually pristine and well projected via the absolutely brilliant orange background that reveals no glaring imperfections. Defying "Father-Time", to say the least, the perimeter edging is extremely sharp including four right angled corners, and the verso reveals the same brief Mays bio/information as the regular 66-subject release. "Unique for the grade", its irrefutable "1 of 1" highest graded status is truly synonymous to the "Say Hey Kid's" arguable standing as our National Pastime's greatest all-time centerfielder!

MIN BID $400

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