One of the most popular non-sports sets of all-time is the 1962 Civil War News set of 88. Issued by the Topps Company and commissioned a century after the first shots were fired, Civil War News is a highly collected vintage issue. This week, we’re offering the only PSA 10 graded “ The War Ends” #87. This card is the last one in the set that pictures a moment in the War (#88 is a checklist). Ultra rare in high grade, it’s getting tremendous attention from collectors looking to build the best set on the planet. Picturing Robert E. Lee signing the surrender papers at Appomattox in 1865, the card puts a wrap on the set which depicts scenes of the Civil War from start to finish in numerical order. The original painting sold at auction not long ago for $5,510. Civil War News was sort of a controversial set. It was designed to be sold to kids but the realistic artwork indeed showed that war involved a lot of blood and gore. There were many parents who saw their kids come home with a nickel pack and upon seeing the contents insisted they not purchase any more or worse yet, threw them out! Several artists contributed paintings that became the cards in the set including Norm Sauders and Maurice Blumenfeld, who are believed to have combined efforts on this particular work. Like sports cards of the era, Civil War News cards were susceptible to centering problems and handling from curious young people who enjoyed showing them off to squeamish classmates so high grade examples are rare. It’s a truly rare experience to have the chance to bid on any PSA 10 card in this set, let alone one of the most important and most sought after cards in the series. We’ll be anxious to see what the final tally is on this card and encourage you to bid as it may be a very long time before you see one come up for auction again.
