Description: 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball Card # 1 The Early Years (VG)1950-1959 Baseball CardsOther decades may have produced more valuable cards, but 1950s baseball cards are arguably the most iconic and sought-after vintage cards in the entire hobby. At times, they seemed more like art than simply sports cards. Vivid colors and beautiful images filled checklists with names that now populate Cooperstown. As the country moved on after World War II, this would become the Renaissance period for baseball cards. A dominant figure throughout much of baseball card history, Topps released their first baseball product in 1951 and would not look back. While the later years of the 1950s and beyond were owned by Topps, they got a serious fight from Bowman in the early 1950s.Although there are many great options from this decade, 1951 Bowman, 1952 Topps, and 1954 Topps have separated themselves from the pack. Top rookie card offering from this decade include Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Ernie Banks, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Eddie Matthews, and Bob Gibson.1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball CardsTaking full advantage of its exclusive deal with the Red Sox legend, 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball represents something of a cardboard biography. From his play on the field to his upbringing off of it, the set is all things Ted Williams.Product DetailsCentered around one of the greatest ballplayers of all-time, 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball pays homage to "The Splendid Splinter." The 80-card set is largely affordable, but a few key cards can stretch the budget.Set DetailsDuring the years before the hobby's boom era that began around 1980, it was rare for an entire set to be devoted to a single player. While there were a couple of sets featuring Babe Ruth produced during the 1920s and a Jackie Robinson set issued in loaves of bread in 1947, the practice was still a bit of an anomaly. In 1959, it was Ted Williams who would have a turn.The Frank H. Fleer Company had been making bubble gum since the 1920s but only dabbled in card issues occasionally through the 1950s. Sitting on the sidelines as other companies battled it out over exclusive player rights, Fleer kept their focus on profits and the bottom line. In order to maintain and grow their market share, Fleer eventually realized they would have to throw their hat into the trading card ring. The company ended up making an aggressive pitch to one of the most popular players of the era. When they successfully negotiated an exclusive contract with Ted Williams, it understandably gave them a big boost.Measuring a standard 2-1/2" by 3-1/2", the 80-card set displays a design similar in manner to that of other Fleer sets of the company's early years. A simple white border and a bat-ball design featuring Williams' name in the corner are exhibited on the front of the card. Most of the cards are laid out with a vertical orientation, although there are several oriented horizontally depending on the image used.The 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball card backs are dominated by a write-up explaining the picture shown on the front. Fleer's patented crown at the top of the card contains the card number, with the words "Baseball's Greatest Ted Williams" running alongside it.Despite being on the downward slope of his career in 1959, Ted Williams was still one of the best and most popular players in the game. 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball chronicles the exploits of "Teddy Ballgame," both on and off of the field. From being the last hitter to reach the .400 mark, earning two Triple Crown awards, and a host of milestone hits and highlight-reel plays, all are included in this cardboard biopic of Williams' life.While the set is clearly centered around Ted Williams, many other notable subjects are paired on cards with the former great. This include fellow baseball players Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Eddie Collins, as well as football star Jim Thorpe and famed golfer Sam Snead. Coming as no surprise, the two cards that include Babe Ruth are especially popular with collectors.Many of his activities away from baseball are noteworthy as well. His well-documented years of U.S. military service in the Marines over two wars is featured in 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball. He is also in the Fishing Hall of Fame, are two cards show him pursuing that passion. Not just limited to his adult years, Williams is shown in his youth, while others feature hitting tips for young players.Much to the dismay of set collectors, one card in 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball can be tougher to locate. Card #68 is titled "Ted Signs for 1959" and features him signing his player contract for the season. However, it also included Red Sox GM Bucky Harris, who was still signed to an exclusive with Topps at the time. As a result, the card had to be pulled from production, pushing values up. Despite this relative scarcity, the card does not appear to be as rare as once thought.Unfortunately, reprints of the elusive #68 card made their way into the hobby during the 1970s, but a skilled eye should be able to detect them due to the moire pattern on the suit coat and pinkish tint. Most of the fake cards are also stamped with a reproduction notice, but it's important to be certain that its authentic before spending a lot of money on one.Sold in both six-card and eight-card wax packs, only the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball packs containing six cards were packaged with gum. The eight-card packs were much less common, leading some vintage experts to speculate that they were either a result of a packaging error or an early test that slipped through the cracks and into distribution.There are no known errors or variations in the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball set. Obvious condition issues often include centering but the primary complaint is the traditional staining as a result of the gum with which the cards were packaged. The relatively small set size of 1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball makes it attractive to many vintage collectors and is a must for any Boston Red Sox or Ted Williams collector.How We Grade: Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks. Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund.Standard/Combined 1st Class Shipping via USPS is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card, with a max. of (40) items per invoice. Subject to change as postal rates continue to increase. Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase. Please see shipping tab for current postage rates. All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes.Please see all of our other ads & visit our store for some great deals on both New & Vintage cards, comics and more.Get your copy of the DC Rebirth or the All New, All Different Marvel Series before they are gone!Yes! We are always buying & accepting consignments.We are trying to establish a Brand and grow our business within the E-bay cyber world, so please Join/Follow us, you never know what we will list next, because: We are: The Toy Collector 4 U 2 C
Price: 14.95 USD
Location: Madison, Alabama
End Time: 2024-11-04T20:25:06.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3.95 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Return policy details:
Card Size: 2-1/2" X 3-1/2"
Autographed: No
Set: 1959 Fleer Ted Williams
Autograph Format: N/A
Signed By: N/A
Product: Single
Player/Athlete: Ted Williams
Year Manufactured: 1959
Vintage: Yes
Event/Tournament: B&b Cards, Comics and more
Card Thickness: 55 Pt.
Sport: Baseball
Autograph Authentication Number: N/A
Parallel/Variety: N/A
Language: English
Card Name: 1959 Fleer Ted Williams
Autograph Authentication: N/A
Original/Reprint: Original
Manufacturer: Fleer
Features: Base Set
Team: Boston Red Sox
Season: 1959
League: Major League (MLB)
Print Run: N/A
Material: Card Stock
Insert Set: N/A
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
California Prop 65 Warning: N/A
Series: Base Set
Type: Sports Trading Card
Era: Post-WWII (1942-1980)
Card Number: 123
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Card Manufacturer: Fleer
