Lot # 6: Extremely Rare 1934-1936 R327 Diamond Stars Printer's Proof Uncut 12-Card Sheet with (5) Hall of Famers Including Dickey, Grove & Frisch - Newly Discovered!

Presented is a fascinating original uncut proof sheet featuring twelve cards from the 1934-1936 R327 Diamond Stars series, highlighted by five Hall of Famers! This extraordinary piece is entirely new to the hobby and represents the first we have ever handled and one of only a few we have ever seen publicly! The cards presented on this sheet are (in order from top left to bottom right) #21 Vergez, #1 Grove (HOF), #11 Dickey (HOF), #15 Bartell, #18 Hafey (HOF), #17 Frisch (HOF), #19 Mungo, #13 Blaeholder, #7 Fonseca, #3 Maranville (HOF), #23 Hallahan, and #24 Adams. The inclusion of so many Hall of Famers makes this sheet instantly appealing, but it is the presence of the #1 Lefty Grove card, which is a key and immediately identifiable part of the Diamond Stars set, that further adds to its special appeal. Proof sheets such as this are easily distinguished from production sheets by their blank-backs and large margin areas with cropping marks and editorial notations. While Diamond Stars sheets are particularly rare, similar sheets exist for Goudey gum-card sets of the same era, and the offered example compares favorably to those sheets upon inspection.

The Diamond Stars set is highly prized by collectors in large part because of the beautiful artwork and art deco-inspired designs of the set, which makes it one of the most visually striking and innovative prewar baseball issues. Produced by National Chicle, it stands out for its high-quality color lithography, dynamic in-game illustrations, and a checklist that includes a number of different stars of the era and future Hall of Famers. Its combination of artistic appeal, historical significance, and relative scarcity makes the Diamond Stars set a cornerstone for vintage card collectors and a prized example of baseball’s Golden Age design. Uncut sheets of 1930s-era cards are not only extremely rare but are also among the most popular and sought-after of all baseball-card sheets. The improbability of their existence, their incredible rarity, and their extraordinary display value are all factors that contribute to their great desirability.

The offered sheet is not only a tremendous surviving example but also a model of aesthetics, boasting bold colors and a largely undisturbed image area. A number of small indentions are visible under close inspection originating in the middle of the Grove card and extended down to the top of the Frisch card. No creases or wrinkles affect the card area, but there is a small upper right corner crease that extends into a 5-inch long horizontal crease along the top border. The blank reverse displays some scattered toning. These small flaws could very easily be covered with pleasing matting and framing resulting in an even more extraordinary display piece.

This sheet would make an outstanding companion piece to any 1934-1936 Diamond Stars set or serve as an extraordinary addition to an uncut sheet collection. Dimensions: 11 x 14 inches. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.