1952 Star-Cal Decals Type 1 Complete Set (70) Including Mickey Mantle

Sold For:

$42,000

Year:

1952

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

1263

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

Extremely rare complete set of 1952 Star-Cal Decals (Type 1), highlighted by twenty-three Hall of Famers including Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, two Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Yogi Berra, and two Stan Musial. This is the first complete set of this exceptionally rare early 1950s issue that we have ever offered or seen offered in a public auction! Issued by the Meyercord Co. of Chicago in 1952, the Type 1 Star-Cal set consists of seventy different Major Leaguers each pictured on a large decal (4-1/8 x 6-1/8 inches) with a facsimile autograph below his image. All of the decals are in their original packaging envelopes as issued. Keys: #70C Berra, 70F Rizzuto, 70G Mantle, 71B Williams, 71C Williams, 72A Kell, 74E Feller, 77A Ashburn, 78E Mays, 79A Hodges, 79B Reese, 79C Campanella, 79E Snider, 79G Robinson, 81E Musial, and 81F Musial. Star-Cal Decals are naturally difficult to grade. This is especially so when they are in their original condition-sensitive red-bordered envelopes (as is the case with all examples included in this lot) as the Star-Cal Decal can be in Excellent or better condition, but the flush-to-the-border red wrapper framing the decal almost always shows wear and if graded along with the near-perfect decal naturally creates the issue of whether it is the decal or the generic window wrapper that is actually being graded. The Star-Cal Decals in this collection are overall in Excellent condition (with a few slightly lesser due to light surface wear), and the wrappers show typical modest edge and corner wear (ranging from Vg to Ex). As can easily be seen, Star-Cal Decals are an extremely attractive and colorful issue that includes a particularly high concentration of Hall of Famers. This is an outstanding complete set of this popular and unusual early 1950s issue, representing the first set of Star-Cal Decals we have ever offered. Total: 70 Star-Cal Decals. Reserve $1,000. Estimate $2,500+.