(LOT 538)
1966 Topps USA Test Issue #35 - Bobby Orr Rookie card (PSA 8 O/C)
Virtually every sophisticated enthusiast would agree that the Bobby Orr rookie card stands as one of the hobby's foremost inaugural keepsakes for any sport. Before releasing Bobby Orr's iconic 1966 #35 subject, the renowned Topps Chewing Gum Company issued a "USA Test Issue" that retained nearly all of the qualities of the eventual standard issue, save the lighter wood-grained borders and a verso that only depicted English text (as opposed to the standard English & French/Canadian verbiage). Distributed only in the U.S., while no irrefutable evidence exists, it is assumed that the 1966 Topps USA Test issue was only released in Southern States and California.

Few and far between, at the time this was written, PSA had only encapsulated 79 Bobby Orr 1966 USA Test examples versus the 581 regular graded subjects; with the Orr "Test" cards standing at only 13.6% or a fraction of the regular encapsulated Orr rookie cards! That said, presented here just happens to be one of those seldom surfacing 1966 Topps Test USA Orr rookies in a superb PSA 8(OC) holder. Synonymous with Orr's unparalleled skating prowess are the world-class aesthetics of this magnificent scarcity starting with the classic Bobby Orr portrait pose that portrays crystal clear clarity and atypically undisturbed wood-grain borders.

Miraculously, this offering's borders have managed to retain virtually all of their original pristine surface attributes, save a diminutive etching abrasion situated along the upper left edge barely noticeable to the naked eye. Strong right-angled corners are extremely sharp, no obtrusive surface flaws are evident on either side and the card's overall aesthetics clearly merit the seldom encountered PSA 8 assessment. The only notable disturbance just happens to be a factory issued flaw, with the image's significant favoritism towards the upper edge warranting the "OC" qualifier. Yet, considering the card's unquestionable desirability, scarcity and value, the sheer right to own a high-grade example depicting spectacular aesthetics far outweighs any technical grading aspect.

MIN BID $1,500
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