(LOT 47)
"Unique for the Grade" 1966 Topps #96 Joe Namath (PSA Gem Mint 10) - Only PSA Gem Mint 10 Specimen Extant!
Presented here is unquestionably one of the most miraculous football cards in the hobby; a "UNIQUE FOR THE GRADE" 1966 Topps Joe Namath PSA "Gem Mint 10" gem! Indeed folks, PSA and SGC, COMBINED, have encapsulated over 900 1966 Topps 2nd year Namath cards with this remarkable keepsake standing as the SOLE PERFECT 10 example. Due to their extremely condition sensitive brown borders, elite PSA Set Registry collectors surely understand the near-impossible task of locating ANY of the 128 subjects reflecting a "Gem Mint 10" assessment, with a microscopic-like 23 or 0.14% of the total 16,000+ PSA encapsulated copies achieving this premier grade. Safe to say, this extraordinary "Broadway Joe" offering represents the pinnacle of card collecting, with its sheer paucity level possibly more unfathomable than the Namath's iconic stature.

While not achieving the finest lifetime statistics, Joe Namath's impact to the game itself secures his place in football history. The legendary New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback guaranteed Super Bowl III victory over the mighty Baltimore Colts changed professional football forever. Since his first appearance on an AFL football field, Joe "Willie" Namath gained the attention of the sports world via his flamboyant "off the field" lifestyle, dazzling white shoes and powerful right arm that produced a significant number of long touchdown passes. He forever earned a place in immortality when his upstart Jets pulled off the impossible; upsetting the virtually unbeatable Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III and ending the NFL's dominance over the then perceived inferior AFL.

It was this sole victory that led to the eventual AFC and NFC conferences BOTH being part of a solitary National Football League. True, other quarterbacks have thrown more touchdowns, completed more passes and compiled a significant higher number of passing yards, but Namath deserves a majority of the credit for two separate football leagues being united as one. His unique popularity continues to inspire serious football enthusiasts to own his most prized cardboard keepsakes, with his 2nd year 1966 card second in line to his hallowed 1965 Topps rookie. Simply stated, every possible aspect of this card is the embodiment of the word "PERFECT", starting with the crystal clear and strikingly vibrant hued classic semi-portrait Namath image as he prepares to launch another one of his rocket-like passes.

Near-perfect centering, blazing sharp corner tips, brilliant surfaces are all attributes consistent with any "pack-fresh" card, and we cannot locate a single flaw on either side. Most significant, however, are the immaculate brown borders that typically reveal some type of diminutive blemish to prevent the sanctified "gem Mint 10" grade for any of the 128 subjects. Truly, this "one of a kind" museum worthy masterpiece is synonymous with Namath's dazzling persona; meriting the highest hobby accolades and anxiously awaiting a new home in any world-class PSA Registered compilation!

MIN BID $5,000
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