(LOT 86)
Rare for the Grade 1956 Topps Pins – Ted Williams (PSA 8) – "1 of 5"; Highest Graded - Includes Near-Impossible to Find Original Box in Near-Mint+ Condition!
In 1956, Topps issued their first ever pin set that included 60 subjects (vs. an originally planned 90 pins) with extremely colorful player images on their obverse side. Measuring approximately 1-1/8" in diameter, a single pin was boxed with bubble gum, with the verso's including a standard pin clasp. Presented here is one of the set's renowned Cooperstown Inductees, the incomparable Ted Williams in a remarkable PSA 8 holder; one of only 5 at this pinnacle plateau with NONE graded higher! Indeed, synonymous with Ted Williams arguable stature as baseball's finest hitter ever, this highest graded pin likewise stands at the top of the "pop" charts!

Portraying the 1954 Topps #250 subject portrait pose, it appears as if this pin was just pulled from its original box, and wouldn't you know... included with this time defying pinback is its original Topps box reflecting near-impossible near-mint+ aesthetics. Miraculous as it may seem, the yellow, red and blue hued pin box appears as if it has just been pulled off the shelf of the local candy store, with both the box and PSA 8 encapsulated Williams pin providing a myriad of their original factory issued attributes. The box's verso depicts the classic "Collect Baseball Buttons" tips, a young baseball fan's line drawing, and an offer to receive a free Bazooka Gum Catalog. Of interesting note is that the ad back is promoting a 90-pin set with Topps ultimately releasing only 60 player pinbacks.

A dynamic duo, we chose to include both these collectibles in the same lot because it would be unimaginable to separate what just may reside as the finest 1956 Topps pin/box combination on the planet. The final exclamation point is that both these heirlooms represent the immortal "Splendid Splinter", whose unparalleled exploits of smacking baseballs or shooting down enemy aircraft in both WWII and the Korean War eternally place him as a National hero

MIN BID $200
_