Lot # 166: “Unique for the Grade” 1954 Stahl-Meyer Willie Mays w/an Amazing PSA Mint 9 Grade - The ONLY “Mint 9” Example for ALL the Stahl-Meyer Subjects Issued From 1953 – 1955!

Category: 1950-1959

Starting Bid: $7,500.00

Bids: 23 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Break Rarities Auction 2019",
which ran from 3/14/2019 4:00 PM to
4/6/2019 7:00 PM




(LOT 166)
"Unique for the Grade" 1954 Stahl-Meyer Willie Mays w/an Amazing PSA Mint 9 Grade - The ONLY "Mint 9" Example for ALL the Stahl-Meyer Subjects Issued From 1953 – 1955!

RARE WILLIE!!! This "miraculous" PSA Mint 9 1954 Stahl-Meyer Willie Mays offering resides as one of the most amazing baseball cards on the planet! Bar none, its UNIQUE "Mint 9" technical assessment stands as a virtual near-impossible achievement. Its sheer existence not only places it as the SOLE Willie Mays "Mint 9" example, but the ONLY known specimen at this pinnacle assessment for ALL 12 subjects on ANY Population Report! Indeed, at the time this was written, PSA had encapsulated 124 1954 Stahl-Meyer Franks cards for all 12 subjects with this Mays marvel being the sole "Mint 9" copy (amazingly, there is NO OTHER "Mint 9" Stahl-Meyer subject for all three years these cards were issued – '53; '54; '55).

Furthermore, substantiating its uncontested condition sensitivity is an overwhelming 84% or 104 of those total 1954 encapsulated subjects reflecting grades of "2" or less (of which there are 76 PSA 1's). Regarding the Willie Mays subject, of the 17 graded specimens, 14 carry "Poor/1" assessments with one "Good/2" and the one "EX/5" being the closest competitors to this Mint offering (SGC's highest graded Mays is only an "EX/5" as well). Needless to say, you simply don't see such "Pop Chart" domination for any issue, with the grading disparity synonymous to Secretariat's unfathomable 31-length Belmont Stakes victory to capture racing's Triple Crown or Wilt Chamberlains record-setting 100-point game against the overmatched New York Knicks. Simply stated, high grade Stahl-Meyer Franks subjects virtually never surface with these ultra-scarce 1950's baseball cards distributed in packages of hot dogs by a New York based meat-company from 1953 thru 1955 (the scarcer 1954 & 1955 issues include yellow borders as opposed to the 1953 issues that reflect white borders).

The 1953 set included 9 subjects while the 1954/"55 sets were increased to 12 players. As is the case with almost all post WWII cardboard issues, the two most popular and valuable players in the set are the iconic center fielders Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. As previously stated, due to their package methodology, Stahl-Meyer subjects are ultra-condition sensitive, with most surviving examples exhibiting low technical assessments. No wonder we are still "scratching our heads" at the mere thought that one of these Stahl-Meyer subjects could possibly defy the seemingly insurmountable odds to retain virtually all of its original factory-issued attributes. Inconceivable to say the least, its impeccable survival with no surface flaws, razor sharp perimeters, and most significantly, ZERIO STAINING is synonymous to "finding a needle in a haystack".

Regarding its aesthetic highlights, the stoic Willie Mays "half-body" portrait pose is absolutely pristine, emanating brilliant hues, crystal clear clarity and atypical near perfect centering between four ultra-clean yellow borders. Both sides exhibit no surface flaws, and as previously stated, the perimeter is blistering sharp. Arguably speaking, with regard to condition rarity, this museum worthy masterpiece possibly qualifies as the "Say Hey Kid's" most incredible baseball card. To reiterate, its closest peer stands at only an "EX/5" assessment with NO other Stahl-Meyer subject from ALL three years (1953, '54, '55) posting a "Mint 9" grade. With regard to value, we couldn't even begin to estimate its immensely substantial worth, for its irrefutable "one of a kind" existence leaves no traces of benchmark pricing. A low-grade PSA 2 specimen realized nearly $5,000 in 2018, so with that said, we will let the most advanced enthusiasts begin to ponder the seemingly boundless price tag this extraordinary "best of all the rest" Stahl Meyer Mays will fetch!

MIN BID $7,500

_

Views: 1029