(LOT 25)
Willie Mays Signed 1952 #261 Topps Card - PSA Encapsulated w/a Pinnacle Gem Mint 10 Signature!
The sports memorabilia market is currently in the midst of an amazing pricing frenzy for "high-profile" autographed Hall of Famer cardboard rarities, and most would agree that you can count on one hand the number of signed cards that could possibly compete with this signed PSA "Gem Mint 10" 1952 Topps Willie Mays marvel. While the inaugural Willie May's card was his 1951 Bowman subject, similar to Mantle, it is his 1952 Topps rookie specimen that arguably stands as his most revered issue with only a handful of perfectly scripted "10" Mays '52 Topps cards handled by the illustrious PSA/DNA Authentication Company. Simply stated, the floodgates have surely opened for signed baseball cards representing our National Pastime's greatest heroes such as Ruth, Cobb, Gehrig, Mantle, Mays, Jackie Robinson and so many more of the game's most exalted superstars of yesteryear. Goudey Ruth's are fetching $125-$150K, a Ty Cobb T206 Green Portrait recently realized a staggering $144K, and two Mickey Mantle signed 1952 Topps cards (the "Say Hey Kid's" 1952 Topps most noteworthy peer), have fetched $97K and $78K respectively.

As a further testament to this tsunami-like pricing surge, even current day cards scripted by superstars such as Mike Trout, LeBron James, Tom Brady, etc. are realizing incredible values well in excess of six-figures (recently a Lebron James signed low pop rarity fetched $900K)! Regarding this '52 Topps Willie Mays autographed heirloom, PSA's "Pop" Chart lists only 19 signed examples. Unfortunately, while PSA's Population Report does not indicate specific autograph grades, as previously mentioned, there are only a handful of existing specimens carrying the hallowed "10" assessment. The card itself reveals a magnificently bold blue sharpie signature directly beneath Mays' period-style uniform collar, clearly reading "Willie Mays", with the critical central image eluding any serious surface flaws and/or obtrusive creasing. Atypical with any '52 Mays, the classic half-body portrait-like illustration exhibits fine centering, only modestly favoring the right edge. Additional highlights include sparkling hues and crystal-clear contrast, with somewhat even corner wear and a few negligible horizontal wrinkles situated near the upper right edge accounting for the overall "VG" aesthetics. Most significant of course is the perfect "10" Willie Mays signature that immediately places this offering as one of the most coveted Mays cardboard artifacts extant.

The insatiable hobby hysteria for the immortal "Say Hey Kid" extends far beyond his extraordinary numbers. True, the Giant's star player accumulated a staggering 660 home runs in a steroid-free era, 1903 runs batted in, and 3,283 hits to the tune of a .302 lifetime batting average. While those figures alone would secure anyone's eternal place in Cooperstown, New York, Mays pinnacle-like stature among hobbyists stems from his unparalleled ability to play virtually every facet of the game far beyond any of his peers. The prototype for the "five-tool" concept, he could hit, throw, run, field and hit with power arguably better than any player who ever graced a baseball diamond, and his absolutely spectacular "over the shoulder" catch in the 1954 World Series in the deepest confines of the Polo Grounds will forever echo for eternity. No wonder this legendary Hall of Famer currently holds the prestigious title of baseball's "Greatest Living Ballplayer", and it is with distinct pleasure that we now present his outstanding 1952 Topps #261 subject boasting the ultra-rare "PSA Gem Mint 10" Willie Mays script that virtually never surfaces for the taking on this iconic Topps memento!

MIN BID $2,000
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