(LOT 57)
1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson PSA 9 MINT
MINT JACKIE!!!... Presented here just happens to be one of the most miraculous "post-WWII" cards extant; a breathtaking PSA Mint 9 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson. Absolutely amazing to say the least, only seven other specimens have managed to achieve this hallowed plateau with a SOLE copy graded higher! Due to their noted condition sensitivity, any 1953 Topps subject depicting a "Mint 9" assessment is worthy of the highest hobby accolades, let alone the #1 subject representing one of our National Pastime's most iconic figures. Legendary Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson may not be the greatest statistical player ever, but his "breaking the Major League baseball color barrier" in 1947 may be most significant occurrence in baseball history. What else can we say about the immortal Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson that hasn't already been said? He won an MVP, led the Dodgers to 6 pennants, stole bases, hit for average and power, fielded his position flawlessly and was as fiery a competitor the game has ever seen.

Yet, for all of his stellar accomplishments, his place in baseball history will forever be correlated with being the inaugural African American to play Major League baseball. Little did Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson realize that their landmark 1947 signing would forever change America's National Pastime with this dynamic duo etched in the minds and hearts of millions of avid baseball enthusiasts. Jackie Robinson's influence on African American baseball players is widely considered one of the game's iconic occurrences, such to the point that his iconic number 42 has been officially retired for ALL Major League baseball teams! America's foremost sports personalities including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, Jim Thorpe, Knute Rockne, Lou Gehrig, Secretariat and Muhammad Ali (just to mention a few) have all been rewarded for their world-class achievements with memorable motion picture movies, so it was no surprise when Hollywood released "42" to commemorate Robinson's indelible mark on baseball.

For all these reasons, any early cardboard artifact of the great Robinson is highly sought after by serious enthusiasts, and this 1953 Topps "Mint" marvel easily stands as one of his most exalted cardboard mementos. Robinson's classic portrait pose provides exceptional resolution and contrast, with his Dodger cap emanating a spectacular blue hue. The atypical extremely well-centered image, blinding white borders, pinpoint corner tips and glistening surface complete a magnificent obverse side, with a super eye pleasing verso the final exclamation point for this seemingly timeless memento. We cannot help but point out that to find this card with near-perfect centering is one of the post-war market's most daunting tasks since most of the '53 Topps Robinson's depict skewed images. In closing, synonymous with Robinson's truly unfathomable endeavor to break the baseball "color barrier" is this remarkable "pack-fresh" offering that resides as one of his most extraordinary and best preserved cardboard heirlooms!

MIN BID $10,000