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 #233, Casey Stengel, graded MINT 9. The Hall of Fame manager was chosen to be the first skipper of the expansion Mets in 1962, following 12 seasons leading the Yankees during which his teams won 10 pennants and 7 World Series, including a record streak of 5 straight titles from 1949 to 1953. Things on the other side of town didn't go quite as well, as you can see on The Old Professor's face in this portrait.
The card is gorgeous, with sharp corners, strong edges, and bold colors. Centering is just slightly east on the canvas, with a light surface abrasion to the right of Stengel in the background are keeping this 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.