Auction #9 - October 2021
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/24/2021
The 1953 Bowman Gum TV & Radio Stars of NBC set is a 96 card set picturing tv and radio stars of the day. The card fronts are full images of the subjects with no other graphics and present really nicely with colorful photos. The fronts are similar to the 1953 Bowman Color baseball set. The backs
This series is notorious for its many short prints. Half of the series (Cards #1-11, odd numbers #13-#79, and #91,#93, and #95, for a total of 48 cards out of 96) are short-printed. The SP cards are very difficult to locate in any grade; mid-grade is an accomplishment. Most 1953 NBC Stars sets I am aware of contain SP cards at least a grade lower than the other cards.
This set is remarkable in that the overall grades of the SP cards are roughly comparable to the grades of the common cards. Thus, the set makes a very even, pleasing appearance throughout. Eleven of the SP cards have been PSA-graded, with an average grade of 6.45. The remainder of the SP cards grade an average of about EX, which is strong for this group. Ungraded SP cards include #8 Groucho Marx (VG-EX+) and #95 Bob Hope (VG-EX+), both beautiful, glossy cards. In addition, one common card, #24, has been graded PSA-8 (NM/MT). There are some off-center cards, but few other problems.
Every set can be improved, and this one is no exception, but the new owner may find it a challenge to do so. Then again, it’s so nice, perhaps it’s not worth the effort! Cards stored in 8-pocket pages within loose-leaf album. PSA-graded cards are stored in 4-pocket plastic pages in same album.
This lot is re-offered from the June auction but with no reserve this time.
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