(LOT 15)
Extremely Rare & Fresh to the Hobby 1962 Topps Mars Attacks 5 Cent Unopened Wax Pack w/Five Cards - PSA 8 NM-MT – "POP 1"; Highest Graded Example - One of Only Two Known Examples on the PSA "Pop" Chart!
UNOPENED RARITY!!! In 1953, the classic War of the Worlds film sent shockwaves throughout our Nation, with the adaptation of H.G. Wells' famous 1898 novel now portrayed on the big screen, courtesy of Paramount Pictures. The concept of Martians invading Earth was a graphic concept, unnerving millions of Americans who always contemplated the eerie concept of aliens storming our planet. Some nine years later, the renowned Topps Chewing Gum Co. jumped on the "alien invasion" bandwagon by issuing a controversial 55-subject set titled "Mars Attacks." Its "controversial" stature was based on a number of extremely graphic images that depicted the horrific deaths of humans, and even pets, at the hands of the Martian enemies.

In fact, the destructive nature of some of the cards was so explicit, that the skilled Topps artist Norm Saunders had to tone down the original artwork for 14 subjects, carefully touching up some of the bloody and gruesome scenes that sparked an original outcry from parents and school teachers. Topps was well prepared for the potential protest to the grotesque nature of this landmark issue, and being ultra-conservative, ultimately decided on printing "Bubbles Inc." as the manufacturer on the card's verso, rather than the standard "Topps Chewing Gum Co." in an effort to somewhat distance themselves from the negativity of the anticipated public uproar. Of course, a majority of kids were absolutely fascinated with the 55-card set, with the popular colorful lithographic images and "mars invasion" philosophy prompting children to storm their local mom & pop candy stores to purchase these five cent packs that included five cards and a stick of bubble gum.

That said, presented here just happens to be one of the most extraordinary unopened wax packs on the planet, an actual 1962 Topps Mars Attacks 5-cent pack encapsulated in a PSA 8 NM-MT holder. Remarkably, it stands as the undisputed highest-graded 1962 Topps Mars Attacks wax pack extant, and one of only two known examples (the other pack is graded a PSA 4)! Synonymous to the T206 Wagner's "king of the hill" stature amongst all sports cards, this miraculous offering arguably resides as the Holy Grail of all unopened packs (both sports and non-sports), with its best of the best PSA assessment and sheer existence as one of only two-known '62 Mars Attacks packs justifying that critical notion. Even more impressive is that it is fresh to the hobby, unearthed from a Northeast/tri-state area shoebox find this past summer and recently graded by the illustrious PSA Company.

Indeed, the family of its original purchaser had preserved an abundance of sports and non-sports cards for the past 50+ years, with this world-class find now brought to the attention of the collecting community courtesy of Memory Lane. Still existing in its original sealed wax wrapper and now residing in a PSA 8 NM-MT holder, the visual appeal obviously merits the extremely high NM-MT 8 assessment, with the ghastly Martian image, several alien spaceships and bold "MARS ATTACKS" and "SPACE ADVENTURE BUBBLE GUM" captions retaining a majority of their original vibrant hues and clarity. The flipside includes several captions defining the contents of the enclosed cards, reading as follows: (1) "SEE FLYING SAUCERS DESTROY EARTH'S LARGEST CITIES; (2) SEE GIANT INSECTS CRUSH EVERYTHING IN THEIR PATH; (3) SEE EARTH'S ARMIES ON MARS FIGHTING AGAINST SUPER WEAPONS."

The final exclamation points are the relatively clean wax surfaces, tightly wrapped corners, and the verso's wax seal being completely intact. It's simply incomprehensible that this esteemed keepsake has managed to survive the past 61 years in its unopened state, stubbornly defying father-time to retain virtually all of its factory issued attributes upon its placement in an original wax box. A captivating museum worthy masterpiece to say the least, its undisputed rarity cannot be overemphasized by any means, with the pinnacle 8 assessment and current status as one of only two known PSA examples arguably placing it as the Holy Grail of all wax packs!


MIN BID $15,000
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