(LOT 15)
1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie PSA 10 GEM MINT
PSA 10 RICKEY ROOKIE!!! No Hall of Famer's sports card could possibly boast more prestige than their inaugural issue, with rookie card mania continuing to dominate the hobby. One of those extremely coveted mementos is Rickey Henderson's 1980 Topps PSA 10 masterpiece, the true rookie card for this legendary Cooperstown inductee. This sensational lead-off hitter dominated the game for over 20 years, and it comes as little surprise that his #482 Topps card is widely sought after in pristine condition. With that in mind, Memory Lane is proud to offer this breathtaking PSA 10 GEM MINT 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card that stands as one of only 26 specimens on the PSA Pop chart. One may think that 26 examples do not merit low pop status; think again because it represents a microscopic 0.07% of the approximate 34,700 PSA encapsulated specimens! Finding a PSA 10 Henderson rookie is no simple task, justifying why more than ten examples have fetched more than six figures, including a record-breaking $180,000 public sale in 2021.

In fact, a recent sale of a PSA 10 realized $144,000 in August 2023, with this iconic Rookie showing little signs of depreciating in value. Synonymous with this best-of-the-rest crowned jewel is Rickey Henderson's arguable status as baseball's greatest all-time leadoff hitter. Our National Pastime's finest base-stealing artist, Henderson swiped an all-time high 1,406 bases in his illustrious 25-year career, including a single-season record of 130 in 1982. He holds the record for most lifetime runs scored (2,295), lead-off home runs (81), and unintentional walks, accumulating a sensational .401 lifetime on-base percentage via his 3,055 hits and 2,190 base on balls. No wonder this dynamic outfielder was nicknamed "the Man of Steel", with his incredible feats linking him to the Superman comic book icon.

This hallowed PSA GEM MINT 10 card is the perfect testament to Henderson's legacy, with the crystal-clear batting image, sparkling hues, brilliant surfaces, atypical near-perfect centering, blinding white borders, blistering sharp corner tips, and captivating pack-fresh aesthetics all justifying the pinnacle assessment. An extraordinary representation proudly standing at the top of the pop charts, you can now emulate the base-swiping king himself by stealing this momentous gem as a cornerstone keepsake for your world-class collection!

MIN BID $25,000

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