I've always thought the "first/last card got more damage" theory to be more conjecture than fact. If that was the case and most sets had high number series that went uncollected, then the last card in the preceding series should get the same considerations.
That's not the case in sets like 1961 (#522 Dick Ferrell) or 1966 (#522 Phil Linz) or 1967 (#533 Jack Fisher). None of those cards see a value increase for high condition over any other cards from that series.
The 1952 set does get that consideration for #310 George Metkovich, but mostly because the legend of the "last card" theory shows up there.
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