(LOT 1)
1933 Goudey #106 Nap Lajoie (PSA 6 EX-MT)
Only a select few of the hobby's most treasured cardboard artifacts have achieved top 10 status via their coupled desirability and value. One of these subjects, the famous 1933 Goudey #106 Napoleon Lajoie presented here in an outstanding PSA 6 holder, just happens to rank as a "Top 5" sports card, and is undoubtedly one of the most exalted and highly coveted issues in extant. Its utmost scarcity can be traced back to the original release of bubble gum cards by the Boston situated Goudey Gum Co. For some inexplicable reason, the #106 card representing the retired immortal 2nd baseman Nap Lajoie was excluded from the bubble gum baseball packs. Imagine the frustration for a myriad of youngsters craving to complete the entire 240 card set, only to fall one card short in 1933.

The general public was so disgruntled that a significant number of letters expressing complete dissatisfaction over a perceived "scam" flooded the Goudey Co.'s home office. To avoid a potential sales reduction for their 1934 Goudey issues, the company decided to accommodate dissatisfied customers and printed the #106 Lajoie on their 1934 high numbered sheets with a 1933 Goudey back. Not distributed in 1934 baseball packs, these cards were mailed to individuals who had contacted the company with an apologetic letter. The sole mystifying question remains: was the 1933 absence of the #106 Lajoie a simple oversight or strategically planned to force the public to buy an infinite number of Goudey packs in a futile attempt to complete the set? While the sure answer to the 1933 Goudey conundrum might never achieve full resolution, what we know with absolute certainty is the offered example is truly one of the hobby's most coveted/valuable cardboard gems.

Regarding the breathtaking aesthetics of this world-class PSA 6 offering, the central Lajoie "waist up" portrait image is virtually un-improvable, depicting super contrast and superb color patterns to support Lajoie's pleasing smile. The eye pleasing lime/olive green background is nearly flawless, with the "Napoleon (Larry) Lajoie" print above his image bold and vivid. The hallowed Lajoie image is relatively well centered between clean white borders, depicting modest partiality towards the lower right edges with the four corners still sustaining a majority of their original right-angled formations. A clean verso is the final compliment for this 83-year old cardboard marvel that merits the highest hobby accolades.

The 1933 Goudey set is the most desirable pre-WWII bubble gum set, residing as one of the three most popular cardboard issues (along with the T206 Tobacco and 1952 Topps). While a myriad of advanced collectors continue their quest to complete the 240-subject Goudey set, many only pursue 239, forgoing the extremely expensive #106 Nap Lajoie. For those meticulous hobbyists that are relentless in their pursuit of either obtaining all 240 Goudey cards, or unyielding in their quest for acquiring a "Top 5" baseball card, this offering is a perfect candidate for filling both requirements via its museum worthy stature!

MIN BID $7,500

_