(LOT 174)
1947 Yogi Berra "Rookie" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Detroit News Photo – Measures Approx. 7-1/2" x 9"
Who would have thought when the New York Yankees called up their 21-year old catcher Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra from their AAA Minnesota farm club in 1946, that this young aspiring star would be embarking on a spectacular 19-year Hall of Fame career. Arguably considered the greatest catcher of all-time (along with Johnny Bench), it would take virtually a full catalog to appropriately list all of his remarkable achievements. Highly noted for his clutch performances on baseball's grandest stages, Berra's World Series records include: 14 appearances, 10 championships, 75 games played in and 71 all-time hits. If that isn't enough, he won 3 MVP awards and played in a remarkable 15 all-star games. Along with the immortal Mickey Mantle, he was the main cog on a Yankee team that played in a majority of the Fall Classics from the late 1940's through the early 1960's. All of the above are a steadfast testament to Berra's all-time stature, justifying why a myriad of elite collectors' scramble to obtain his finest existing artifacts.

One of those seldom surfacing memorabilia marvels is this extremely rare 1947 PSA Type 1 "rookie" image that stands as one of his foremost illustrations. In 1946, Berra only realized 23 plate appearances with New York (having played most of the year in AAA), so it was 1947 that stands as his true "rookie" season. The photo itself emulates breathtaking aesthetics, with the stoic portrait image of the youthful Berra revealing near-perfect contrast and clarity. Measuring approximately 7-1/2" x 9", a series of diminutive surfaces cracks and wrinkles are primarily evident along the upper region, most of which are barely visible to the naked eye and not detracting from the awe-inspiring central image. The flipside exhibits the critical "DETROIT NEWS STAFF" credit stamp, some stray notations and an "AUG 26, 1947" date. One of the most significant Yogi Berra rookie mementos on the planet, it rekindles memories of how in 1947, this 5'7" catcher stole the hearts of the "Big Apple" faithful for the next two decades!

MIN BID $300
___