Extremely Rare 1952 Dixie Lids PSA-Graded Complete Set MInus One (23/24)

Sold For:

$10,800

Year:

1952

Auction:

2019 Summer

Lot #:

1106

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

Exceptional complete set (minus one) of twenty-three extremely rare 1952 Dixie Lids. Missing only Connie Ryan for completion. Dixie Lids are one of the most fascinating of all food issues in that they were designed as tops for the company's line of ice-cream products and featured well-known sports and movie stars on the inside as a further enticement to young consumers. Originally created in the 1930s, the idea was revived in the early 1950s, but not without complications related to the first issue in 1952. Contractual difficulties with specific players slated to be featured in the set halted the release so long, in fact, that the next year's lids were already ready to be issued. Some believe that as a result, the 1952 set was scrapped entirely, resulting in no public issue, while others believe that a small quantity made it out the door as evidenced by the varying conditions in which they are found, including some with apparent ice-cream staining. Whatever the case, to this day examples from the 1952 set are extremely rare and to the best of our knowledge this is the only complete set (minus one) known to exist. Sixteen cards are graded and encapsulated by PSA (all submitted by REA). PSA Grading Composite: One VG-EX 4: Woodling. One VG 3: Mueller. Two GOOD 2: Michaels and Trucks. Three FR 1.5: Cooper, Feller (HOF), and Seminick. One PR 1: Ashburn (HOF). Eight Authentic: Byrne, Carraquel, Castiglione, Cox, Fain, Kiner (HOF), Sauer, and Shantz. Seven ungraded: Fox (HOF), Irvin (HOF), Parnell, Reynolds, Roe, Schoendienst (HOF), and Slaughter (HOF). (Each of the ungraded lids in this collection is missing the protective coating and are blank backed, thus PSA was unable to encapsulate these examples.) Many surviving examples are found without the tabs (which prompted speculation that this made them unusable at the factory and prevented them from going out the door on product). Eight of the lids in this set are missing the tab. This is a remarkable assembly of extremely attractive lids from this very rare 1950s food issue! Total: 23 Lids. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).