Beginning in 1959, Topps implemented the tradition of honoring baseball's rookie class cream of the crop, with the annual selection of the Topps Rookie All-Star Team. This fine tradition was a hit with fans, while helping Topps sell a lot more baseball cards and bubble gum. Here we have (5) Topps Rookie All-Star Awards programs, dating from the period 1962-1966. (4) Of these programs are signed, with (32) total autographs averaging 8-9 potency.



Of great significance, is a Pete Rose rookie era autograph in one of two 1963 editions, that is applied to a page formatted with a fantasy example of his 1963 rookie card, which is a great prize in its own right, as Rose was forced to share surface space with three other up and comers, on his official 1963 Topps rookie card. Additional highlights are a Joe Morgan rookie era autograph, and a 1963 edition dual-signed on the front cover by "Yogi" Berra and Elston Howard.





Featured editions and signers are:



1962 Vg-Ex, no autographs;



1963 #1 Fr-Gd, (10) autographs with: (9/10) All-Stars: Pete Rose rookie era signature, "Rusty" Staub, Pete Ward, Jimmie Hall, Vic Davalillo, Tommy Harper, Jesse Gonder, Ray Culp, Gary Peters; and Minor League Player-of-the-Year Billy Cowan;



1963 #2 Fr-Gd, (2) autographs: "Yogi" Berra, Elston Howard;



1965 Vg, (10) autographs with: (9/10) All-Stars: Joe Morgan rookie era signature, Paul Schaal, Rico Petrocelli, Jose Cardenal, Ron Swoboda, Curt Blefary, Pat Corrales, Marcelino Lopez, Frank Linzy; and Minor League Player-of-the-Year Dave Roberts;



1966 Gd, (10) autographs with: (8/10) All-Stars: Tommy Helms, "Sonny" Jackson, Cleon Jones, Byron Browne, Tommie Agee, Randy Hundley, Woody Fryman, Jim Nash; Minor League Player-of-the-Year Mike Epstein; and sportscaster Joe Garagiola.



Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $500.