(LOT 121)
1962 Mars Attacks #1 The Invasion Begins PSA 9 MINT
THEY'RE HERE!!! The 1962 Topps Mars Attacks set is one of the most revered and desirable non-sport releases in the history of the hobby, but in 1962 it sparked major controversy in homes across the nation. Due to the explicit gore and offensive sexual depictions, mothers across the U.S. objected to their children's subjection to the material and considered the set obscene. BUT CHILDREN LOVED IT! Mankind has had a fascination with aliens from other planets, wondering for hundreds of years "What's out there?" In 1938, The Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast H.G. Wells "The War of the Worlds", directed and narrated by Orson Welles, about a Martian invasion that led to panic and paranoia among the listeners as the airing was prompted as "breaking news." However, the hoax notwithstanding, the allure of alien life captivates millions each year, so the Topps Company produced the extremely popular Mars Attacks set in 1962.

Grotesque in nature, the skull-less Martian invade Earth, accosting women and ravaging humans and animals in a murderous rampage, gruesomely killing Earth's inhabitants until a counterattack halts the invasion and Mars is destroyed. Created by Wally Wood and painted by Norman Saunders, the 1962 Mars Attacks set is powerful, colorful and a set of 55 virtual works of art. The depictions are incredibly moving, and the imagery is amazing.

Presented here is a superb example of #1 The Invasion Begins encapsulated 9 MINT by PSA. As is often the case with card sets, the first and last issues fall victim to heavy wear as they are most exposed to possible wear if the set is kept in numerical order. Not the case here. This #1 The Invasion Begins in a PSA 9 is the one and only MINT example graded by PSA with not a single issue graded higher. This unbelievably well-kept example presents virtually perfect centering, phenomenal Norm Saunders imagery with bright color, an awe-inspiring Mars landscape and uniformity the would-be invaders preparing for launch. With untouched edging and corners that remain as sharp as the day it was unpacked, this highest graded edition is lacking any flaws noticeable by the naked eye and frankly one of the finest non-sport cards in the hobby, especially one in such high demand. It cannot be overstated how sensational this card remains, making us wonder why this did not achieve GEM MINT status.

MIN BID $2,000
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