(LOT 3)
Extraordinary Lou Gehrig Signed 1934 #37 Goudey "Portrait" Card - PSA Encapsulated w/a Mint 9 Signature
The desirability for signed baseball cards representing some of our National Pastime's greatest heroes has immensely skyrocketed over the past several years, resulting in record setting sales on a seemingly daily basis. Some of the legendary cards that have achieved staggering prices include four separate Babe Ruth vintage examples fetching between $125K - $149K (including 2 #181 Goudey's, a 1933 Sports King & 1921 Exhibit), a 1933 Lou Gehrig Goudey achieving a $60K price tag and most recently, a T206 Cobb realizing an astounding $144K!

Even several post WWII cards have significantly escalated with several 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle issues fetching unfathomable figures between $65K - $100K. Interestingly enough, while not abundant, these signed Mantle cards are in no way considered rare, with PSA's illustrious population report listing approximately 20-25 signed examples for EACH of these treasured issues. Typically, post WWII cards of popular Hall of Famers do boast a number of autographed copies to choose from. Unfortunately for some of baseball's greatest pre-war stars such as Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, W. Johnson, Mathewson, etc., finding a signed baseball card is an extremely painstaking task, if not impossible in some instances.

That said, presented here just happens to be one of the most miraculous Lou Gehrig signed mementos extant, a brilliantly autographed 1934 Goudey #37 subject of the iconic "Iron Horse" sporting a PSA Mint 9 signature grade! Amazing to say the least, it currently stands as one of only three autographed Gehrig #37 Goudey's on the illustrious PSA "Pop" Chart. The bold black fountain pen signature clearly reads "Best Wishes - Lou Gehrig", and is scripted in a perfect spot; directly across his lower chin/neck and dazzling white jersey. Furthermore, the card itself portrays superb VG/EX aesthetics, with most signed pre-ward cards exhibiting low grade technical attributes. Thus, the coupled PSA "Mint 9" autograph and solid mid-grade visual appeal arguably place this card as the finest Lou Gehrig signed Goudey on the planet!

The incomparable legacy of Henry Louis Gehrig can be traced back to his Columbia University playing days where Gehrig dominated as both a standout pitcher and slugging first baseman. Catching the attention of renowned New York Yankee scout Paul Krichell, on April 28, 1923 Gehrg hit one of the longest home runs ever seen at Columbia's South Field; a mammoth 450-foot blast that sailed completely out of the ball park, prompting Krichell to sign Gehrig to a Yankee contract only two days later. While Gehrig would be called up to the majors before the end of the season, he would see limited time as a pinch hitter in both the 1923 and 1924 seasons, accumulating only 38 official at-bats in those two seasons.

It would be the 1925 season that the "Iron Horse" would enjoy his first breakout season, batting .295 and walloping 20 home runs in nearly 500 plate appearances. Now considered one of the game's fearsome sluggers, Gehrig would embark on one of the most formidable careers in baseball history. One of baseball's greatest all-timers, Gehrig's legendary stature stands right alongside Ruth, Cobb, Wagner, Jackson, Young, Mathewson and Johnson, with his cardboard rarities already realizing remarkable price tags. The sports memorabilia market is currently in the midst of a pricing uptick frenzy for "high-profile" Hall of Famer rarities and most would agree that you can count on one hand the number of signed sports cards that could possibly hope to compete with this autographed Gehrig cardboard treasure.

The card itself was issued in 1934, two years after their four-game sweep of Chicago in the Fall Classic and two years before Gehrig would team up with rookie sensation Joe DiMaggio to start yet another Yankee dynasty. Highly regarded as one of Gehrig's most coveted cards, the #37 1934 Goudey subject has always been a collector favorite, primarily due to the classic "Iron Horse" portrait image that reveals a super candid Gehrig smile. Bright colors, even corner wear, a refreshingly clean yellow background and atypically, no glaring flaws on either side all combine to support the solid mid-grade aesthetics. Most significantly, the world-class PSA Mint 9 black fountain pen "Best Wishes - Lou Gehrig" signature steals the show, literally jumping off the card and substantiating the notion that this scripted Gehrig offering merits a final resting place in Cooperstown, New York.

In closing, any original collectible of Gehrig is widely sort after within the collecting community due to his unequivocal legacy, let alone one that represents one of his ultra-popular Goudey subjects. Tragically, Gehrig's incredible career was cut short by the deadly "ALS" disease (now more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) that took his life at the tender age of 37. Yet, with all of his "on the field" accomplishments, he will always be best remembered for his 2,130-consecutive game streak, accounting for his sacred "Iron Horse" nickname. Furthermore, his incomparable farewell "Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth" speech at Yankee stadium on July 4, 1939 will forever stand as our National Pastime's "Gettysburg Address".

He was the quiet hero, simply going about his business with a steadfast purpose that the mention of his hallowed name inspires a still tranquility amongst his vast following. Incredible as it may seem, signed current day cards of stars such as Mike Trout, LeBron James, Tom Brady, etc. are realizing infinite-like values well in excess of six-figures (recently a Lebron James signed low pop rarity fetched $900K. With that in mind, we can only ponder as to the true value of this PSA Mint 9 Signed Gehrig masterpiece that has miraculously withstood the test of time over the past 86 years. Simply stated, Lou Gehrig signed cards are few and far between, justifying why this Cooperstown worthy masterpiece merits the highest hobby accolades, reigning supreme as the irrefutable "best of the rest!"

MIN BID $12,500
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