We have made the decision to break up an EXTRAORDINARY 1963 Topps set
- the #4 Master Set on the PSA Set Registry. The 1963 set is a
particularly difficult set to complete in high grade due to Topps' poor
quality control in the era which resulted in
considerable print defects. The large and colorful border at the bottom
simultaneously lends a distinctive design element and a condition
challenge, as they are extremely susceptible to
chipping and wear.
The example offered here is card #408, Billy Gardner, graded MINT 9. 1963 was the final season of Gardner's 10-year career. His Topps card shows the Red Sox infielder in his batting stance, ready for a pitch. Four sharp corners and edges, but centering is just slightly north and east on the canvas. A minor registration issue with the red bottom border, and some color loss at the bottom edge of that section which is common to the set keep the card from grading even higher than it already has.
You won't find a nicer example of this card. And that isn't hyperbole. Not a single example ever seen by PSA has received a higher grade than the card offered here.