(LOT 105)
1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams PSA 6 EX-MT
The 1954 Wilson Franks issue including 20 different subjects is widely considered one of the scarcest 1950s type card issues. Since they were packaged in direct contact with frankfurters, many of the surviving examples exhibit unsightly grease stains and other obtrusive surface flaws. Included in this eclectic issue is one of Ted Williams' most sought-after post-WWII cards, and it is his sensational Wilson Franks memento offered here in a PSA EX-MT 6 holder. Ted Williams' dream of being baseball's greatest all-time hitter ultimately became a reality as most historians agree that "The Kid" truly stands as the finest hitter to ever grace a batter's box. The "Splendid Splinter" not only handled the bat better than any of his peers, despite two stints as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, shooting down an incredible 16 enemy aircraft. In 1954, he returned to MLB for his first full season following the Korean War and did not disappoint the Beantown faithful, batting a stellar .345 and leading the A.L. with 136 R.B.I.s and a sensational 1.148 OPS.

Wilson Franks celebrated his return by placing a classic Williams' batting pose on his exalted subject, with this scarce PSA 6.5 example revealing a "3D-like" illustration of Ted completing his immortal swing. Sparkling hues emanating from his Boston road grays, a dazzling white background, a bold red "TED WILLIAMS" caption and relatively clean surfaces complete this 67-year-old cardboard treasure. Accounting for the grade is modest corner wear (particularly the upper left corner), and no glaring surface blemishes are evident on either side. A momentous "Thumper" heirloom, it stands as an enduring testament to his iconic baseball stature and wartime heroism, ultimately leading Theodore Samuel Williams to becoming an archetypal American hero who was dearly worshiped by a myriad of his captivated fans!

MIN BID $7,500
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