Lot # 26: 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie (PSA Mint 9) - Only 2 Graded Higher!

Category: 1950-1959

Starting Bid: $50,000.00

Bids: 87 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Classic Rarities Auction 2016",
which ran from 4/22/2016 2:30 PM to
5/7/2016 7:00 PM




(LOT 26)
1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie (PSA Mint 9) - Only 2 Graded Higher!

Currently, no baseball cards are hotter than prestigious high-grade late 1940's/1950's rookie cards of our National Pastime's greatest stars. Seemingly achieving record prices with each passing sale, there appears to be an infinite-like demand and pricing surge for the inaugural cards of Mantle, Mays, J.Robinson, Aaron, Clemente, Koufax and so many more. The pricing surges of these cardboard immortals is clearly evident by the prices realized by elevated assessments for hobby icons such as the 52 Topps Mantle, 1955 Clemente and 1954 Aaron rookies. Incredible as it may seem, '52 Topps Mantles in "NM/MT-8" grade have realized over $500,000, a 1955 Topps Clemente recently sold for $486,000 and a PSA Mint 9 Aaron posted an approximate $200,000 figure!

This extraordinary pricing surge appears to have no end in sight, with a seemingly infinite level for growth potential. With regard to Hank Aaron, one of the most undervalued post WWII cards has always been his 1954 Topps rookie card. Fortunately, this inexplicable disservice to "Hammerin Hank's" first cardboard issue no longer exists, with each passing sale of his high-grade 1954 Topps gem achieving staggering price tags. Presented here just happens to be one of the finest preserved 1954 Hank Aaron Topps rookie cards, a breathtaking PSA Mint 9 copy that has been bested by only 2 Gem Mint 10 examples! Hard to believe, that of nearly 3,800 PSA encapsulated copies, only a fractional 0.6% (21 copies) have achieve the "Mint 9" plateau, with this miraculous "time defying" offering the cornerstone of the prestigious "Hammerin Hank" collection, have managed to achieve this miraculous grade.

Furthermore, it is clearly visible that this museum worthy masterpiece merits a premier standing among those few pinnacle-like Mint 9 copies, with its "near-perfect" aesthetics arguably meriting it similar accolades as the two existing Gem Mint 10 copies. Due to the ongoing steroids issue in professional baseball, many diehard baseball fans still consider Aaron's 755 lifetime home runs the all-time mark, dismissing Bond's "tainted" 762 statistical high mark. Additionally, Aaron is a member of the elusive 3,000 hit club and is the undisputed owner of the most lifetime R.B.I.'s in Major League history. For these reasons alone, more hobby enthusiasts are beginning to "jump aboard" the Aaron bandwagon, seizing his prized high-grade cardboard artifacts as they continue to achieve stratospheric pricing levels. Similar to legendary cards such as the Babe Ruth M101 and Mickey Mantle '51 Bowman rookie issues, the Aaron rookie was significantly undervalued for quite some time, only recently earning its rightful place among the hobby's most desirable and valuable cardboard keepsakes.

Regarding its immaculate eye appeal, the crystal clear Aaron portrait image accompanied by a vivid black & white fielding pose are both set against a brilliant orange background, with the classic illustration atypically perfectly centered between three blinding white borders. Pin-point corners, gleaming surfaces, extremely sharp edges, and a pristine-like verso complete one of the finest Hank Aaron rookie cards extant! Simply stated, this remarkable memento defines the meticulous collecting nature of our esteemed consignor, justifying why it anxiously awaits a new home in one of the hobby's foremost compilations. For just how long these post-war pricing surges will continue on-ward, no one can possibly predict. Yet, considering Aaron's immortal standing among baseball's greatest players, you can easily make the argument that his "Mint 9" rookie card has considerable growth potential, especially bearing in mind that he stands "heads and tails" statistically above his hallowed Mantle and Clemente rookie card brethren!

MIN BID $50,000
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