(LOT 56)
1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose Rookie PSA 8 NM-MT
ROSE ROOKIE!!!... The on-going rise of iconic post-WWII rookie cards is the hottest subject in the hobby! For the past several years, our National Pastime's seemingly realize higher pricing points every week, with no end in sight for this upward spiral. One of those legendary cards that has recently joined this list is the immortal 1963 Topps rookie issue for "Pistol" Pete Rose. Auction prices have neared $17K, with various private sales reporting figures between $18K - $20K! Considering the tsunami-like pricing of high-grade inaugural issues for Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente (just to mention a few), it is with little surprise that the Rose rookie has now joined this elite class of high-priced cardboard commodities. Mister "Charlie Hustle" himself, currently sits at the top baseball's all-time hit list and no Rose baseball card is more desirable than his 1963 Topps high number rookie card presented here in a breathtaking PSA 8 holder. Only 1% of the approximate 3,600 PSA encapsulated copies have bested this highly coveted specimen that quite possibly merits consideration for a half-grade uptick. We all know the story of why Pete Rose hasn't been inducted into baseball's illustrious Hall of Fame, with his gambling exploits barring him from Cooperstown eligibility.

While it remains to be seen how this scenario plays out, one cannot deny his all-time hit record, and the aggressive style of baseball he was most famous for, leading to the renowned "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Furthermore, so awe inspiring were his achievements, baseball fans simply could not leave him off baseball's "team of the century" roster. Every primary quality is virtually perfect including superior image contrast, fine centering, sparking colors, vivid print registration, glistening surfaces and pinpoint corners. The only two diminutive flaws are a factory issue print mark situated on the blue surface near the upper edge, as well as a "modest tilt" towards the lower left corner, barely noticeable with the naked eye. In summary, while Pete Rose's Cooperstown status remains an unresolved issue, his representation on this brilliant offering is undoubtedly a perfect candidate for any cardboard Hall of Fame gathering with its sheer existence sufficing as one of our illustrious hobby's most significant rookie cards extant!

MIN BID $4,000