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 #323, Bill Mazeroski, graded NM-MT
8. Mazeroski's 1963 season saw him elected to the All Star Game and
honored with the Gold Glove Award, one of four such seasons in the Hall
of Famer's career.
The bold red bottom border adds a needed pop of color to the canvas, but
some snow and the minor color loss in the bottom corners common with
these borders are also where this card's flaws reside. Centering is just
slightly west, with nice edges. A minor registration issue with the red
bottom border and yellow circle inset also help explain the card's
technical grade.
Only 16 of the more than 500 examples graded by PSA have ever received a higher grade than the NM-MT 8 offered here.