Among the most scarce of the late 1950s regional issues, the eight-card test issue that preceded the popular 1958 Hires Root Beer set features sepia-toned player photos set against a yellow or orange background.  Similar to the mainstream Hires issue, the cards were issued with wedge-shaped tabs at the bottom that were meant to be removed; cards with tabs are valued considerably higher than cards without.  In the event that tabs were removed too close to the player image, grading companies will reject the cards as trimmed.

Presented here is a complete, eight-card set, including the extremely desirable key card of Willie Mays.  All eight cards were submitted to PSA for assessment, two were returned as trimmed due to the bottom borders being too tight.  A listing of the cards is as follows: 1) Antonelli (evidence of trimming), 2) Busby (evidence of trimming), 3) Fernandez (PSA VG 3), 4) Friend (PSA VG 3), 5) Law (PSA VG 3), 6) Lopata (PSA GOOD 2), 7) Mays (PSA GOOD 2), 8) Pilarcik (PSA VG 3).  An exceptional set, one of the most important regional issues of the 1950s.  Eight cards total.