Similar to 1971 Topps baseball, the 1962 Topps football set is extremely difficult to find in high grades because the black borders chip and scuff so readily.  An extremely challenging set, many of the cards are short-printed, adding a level of scarcity.  Presented here is a collector-grade set, the majority of the cards falling in the VG to EX range, largely due to the aforementioned chipping, along with corner wear consistent with handling.  Additionally, as is the case with all 1960s Topps cards, centering is an issue, as quality control was not the strong suit of the company in those days.

A condition report on the collection would be 14% EX, 48% VG/EX, 35% VG, and 3% good, with a few lesser.  Key cards would grade as follows: #1 Unitas (G), 2 Moore (EX), 5 Berry (EX), 18 Marchetti (VG/EX), 19 Jones (EX), 32 Groza (VG), 36 Downs (VG), 56 Lary (VG), 58 Karras (VG/EX), 63 Starr (VG/EX), 64 Hornung (G), 66 Taylor (VG), 68 Ringo (VG), 70 Gregg (VG/EX), 72 Jordan (VG/EX), 79 Mattson (VG/EX), 88 Gabriel (VG), 102 Tittle (VG/EX), 104 Gifford (VG), 110 Huff (VG), 115 Jurgensen (VG), 127 Layne (EX), 129 Johnson (VG/EX), 134 Stautner (VG/EX), 157 St. Clair (VG/EX), 159 Nomellini  (VG), 164 Snead (G), 166 Mitchell (VG/EX).  

Two of the key cards of the set - the rookie cards of Mike Ditka and Fran Tarkenton - have been pulled out of this collection, graded by SGC, and are featured as single lots elsewhere in this auction.  Missing for completion are the following: #4 Perry (HOF), 17 Ditka (HOF), 28 Brown (HOF), 29 Kreitling, 39 Meredith, 40 Lockett, 76 Checklist, 81 Phillips, 84 Hunter, 90 Tarkenton (HOF), 93 Triplett, 101 Vikings Team, 118 Peaks, 125 Case, 126 Eagles team, 149 Echols, 160 Hazeltine and 174 Jackson.  An attractive, collector-grade near-set, 154 cards total.