(LOT 158)
1973 Topps #305 Willie Mays PSA 10 GEM MINT
The 1973 season would be the final season for the immortal Willie Howard Mays who finally decided to call it quits after an illustrious 22-year career that ranks as one of the finest in baseball history. His list of accolades includes 660 home runs, 1903 runs batted in, a .302 batting average, 338 stolen bases, a .941 OPS, and a remarkable 24 All-Star game selections!

While the 1974 Topps issue produced several Mays cards relating to his 1973 World Series appearance, his final mainstream card would be his #305 1973 Topps subject, presented here in a nearly unique PSA Gem Mint 10 holder. Along with only a single other specimen, this magnificent offering shares the ultimate bragging rights as the "best of the rest"! Indeed, of the 2,450+ PSA encapsulated 1973 Topps Willie Mays subjects, only a microscopic-like 2 examples have managed to achieve sheer cardboard perfection. This museum worthy masterpiece is the classic example of the renowned phrase "going out in style", for what could be more satisfying than owning a "perfect" Willie Mays card that represents his final Topps conventional issue.

The imposing Mays batting stance is literally flawless, as Mays dons his New York Mets home/pinstriped uniform with his legendary #24 affixed directly below the "Mets" insignia. Brilliant hues and immaculate registration are the highlights of this exalted image that amazingly depicts virtually perfect centering. Collectors are well aware of the centering and/or "tilt" issues typically plaguing the 1973 Topps subjects, yet this resounding marvel portrays one of the finest positioned images you will ever encounter.

Some of the additional technical attributes substantiating the assessment are pinpoint corners that could draw blood, razor sharp edging and pristine surfaces. One of the supreme Mays cards on the planet, it serves as a sheer reminder of the "Say Hey Kid's unparalleled baseball skill sets, with both this offering and Willie Mays all-time stature proudly standing tall as the "best of the rest"!

MIN BID $5,000

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MLI is offering The "Mays Fan Club Collection" - #1 on the PSA Set Registry in an alternative selling format. All Lots numbered from 132-158 will be sold individually to the highest bidder, unless Lot # 131's hammer price exceeds the hammer price of Lots 132-158 combined cumulative total. In which case, the cards would be sold as a set. Once bidding starts, the green check mark below simply designates which format has the current high bid. In case of a tie - the set wins.

Lot 131 (Set Total):  $230,000
Lot 132-158 (Individual Card Total):  $406,299