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 #348, Vic Wertz, graded MINT 9.
Wertz was the batter of the ball Willie Mays made "The Catch" on during the 1954 World Series. He is pictured here as a member of the Detroit Tigers, in his final season. Wertz actually only played 6 games for Detroit in 1963 before being traded to the Twins where he finished his career.
His 1963 Topps card shows the 38-year-old looking off in the distance, perhaps contemplating life after baseball. Great corners and edges, with centering just ever so slightly east on the canvas. Only a minor registration issue with the red bottom border and some snow keeps this card from grading even higher than it already has.
Only 1 example graded by PSA has ever received a higher grade than the MINT 9 offered here.