The graded card community should really learn to think outside the box, in an instance such as this. Common thinking says that only numerical grades deserve any respect, as well as thick wads of cash. Ever since third party grading of trading cards was instituted over 20 years ago, the AUTHENTIC rating has connoted a genuine downgrade. However, this is an instance where the hobby needs to mature and wake up to the fact that sometimes the whole is indeed worth more than the sum of the individual parts. Here we have the entire Rawlings Musial set, all together as they were originally issued, divided only by dashed lines but mind you, truly a complete set. In 1955, there were so few other trading cards of any kind of Mr. Musial.
The more I think about it, I agree with you. Definitely, if you wind up owning it, do not take a cropping tool to it. That Musial piece is special, befitting of any top ten of THE MAN. It is so visually attractive, most unusual, and by any stretch of the imagination, it should not have survived intact. But it did survive intact.
Obviously, either PSA or SGC should authenticate it. When choosing, decide who will make the panel look its best. In this case, I would go with SGC because their black insert will be custom-made to fit the panel. With SGC it shan't slide around, 'ol boy, and that is important. There are cases where a PSA-graded card looks absolutely A-ok with extra room, but I question whether PSA has a holder appropriate for that panel. Several years back, I made the trek to the Chicago suburbs for the 2008 National Convention. I wanted to get a treasured item graded-- a virtually unique 1962 JELL-O Mickey Mantle complete box, unfolded no less. The flavor? The rarest, APPLE. Sadly, PSA wouldn't touch it at the time, but if I cut it out, they would be pleased to grade it. It did not require much deliberation on my part to nix that notion. After some consultation and pleading, SGC authenticated it. Let me tell you, that Mantle piece looks terrific in SGC's holder. With all the JELL-O graphics, its trading card promotion blurb on the front, and Mickey's card, the piece is devastatingly attractive. That Stan Musial box top would likewise look best, and I believe, more valuable, in its natural state.
Picture an All-State display case with a well-arranged portfolio of Stan Musial items. I can guarantee the 1955 Rawlings Stan Musial trading card panel set will hold its own with any other Musial card, though it might fall shy of a '53 Hunters Wieners panel or a '55 Hunters Musial flap card, which I'll never get to own. Very, very few own such Hunters, but that's beside the point. Assuredly, a complete Rawlings panel would not fail to impress--every time you show it or mention it on the board to any collectors with a decent amount of knowledge. And if perchance they don't know its significance, you'll have loads of fun enlightening them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A rare opportunity has come your way, which I'm sure you will always remember. I sincerely hope the outcome brings a smile to you every time you think about it.
I must say those are swell-looking cards of Stan The Man.
I salute you, my fellow collecting warrior. ---Brian Powell
