The only “master set” of baseball cards from Roger Maris’ career is being broken up and sold as part of Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction, slated to open Friday, December 23.
The “61 in 61” collection, painstakingly pieced together by a private individual over a period of many years, includes a complete run of Maris’ regular issue cards, all in high grade and also numerous examples of rare regional issues, many of which rank as the best examples known.
As a whole, the collection ranks as the current highest rated master and basic set on PSA’s Set Registry. It’s the
only Maris collection on the list that includes all 114 cards issued during the career of the popular slugger, who broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record with 61 in 1961.
As a whole, the set accumulated a 7.17 G.P.A. with 16 cards achieving the perfect “Gem Mint 10” Grade and 26 cards rated PSA 9. More than half of the cards are the highest graded specimens (none higher).
The owner of the set collected not only for completeness but was also very particular about the grade of each card, focusing on both technical grade and eye appeal.
Other issues that are part of the catalog auction that runs through January 14 include all six cards from the
1962 Gehl’s Ice Cream set honoring Maris, Yankee team issues, Topps Venezuelan cards, Jay Publishing, 1961 and ’62 Bazooka, Post Cereal and Jello cards including the LIFE Magazine insert and Salada and Shirriff Coins, among many others.
There is also a 1967-68 Cardinals postcard autographed by the late slugger from North Dakota and a single-signed Maris ball.
In all, the Winter Rarities auction includes over 1,300 lots of all types of sports cards and memorabilia. Printed copies of the 262-page catalog are available by contacting Memory Lane via their website or by phone at 1-877-606-LANE (5263).
Related Stories:
Notes: Rich Altman Passes; Maris ’61 Jersey Donated to HOF; More
Vintage Rarities Headline Latest LOTG Auction
Maris Museum Burglary Remains Unsolved
Notes: Maris MVP Award Also Stolen from Mall
Roger Maris’ 1961 Hickok Belt Stolen in Smash and Grab Burglary
Image Captures Mickey Mantle’s Powerful Swing During ’61 Chase
Best Vintage Roger Maris Cards
