(LOT 541)
"Unique for the Grade" 1950/'51 Toleteros Josh Gibson (PSA 8) - "1 of 1"; SOLE & HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE!
No card could possibly be a finer testament to the immortal Joshua Gibson's baseball legacy than this breathtaking PSA 8 1950/'51 Toleteros rookie card that just happens to be the SOLE and HIGHST GRADED specimen on the planet! Indeed, PSA's illustrious "pop" chart lists this as the only PSA 8 example with NONE graded higher. Even more impressive is that the only SGC 88/8 specimen listed on their census report just happens to be this same card. We know with 100% certainty that this museum worthy offering was originally that sole SGC 88/8 copy, "crossed over" to a PSA holder several years ago and not removed from SGC's pop report. Therefore, synonymous with Josh Gibson's arguably standing as professional baseball's most talented all-time player comes along this "best of the rest" marvel that sits alone at the "top of the charts".

Arguably, no Major League baseball player could possibly surpass Babe Ruth's stature as well as his overall "off the field" persona, for the "Bambino" is widely considered our National Pastime's greatest all-time player. There is, however, a "Professional" ballplayer who just may have been able to match the "Sultan of Swat's" hitting accomplishments. His name is Joshua Gibson and, due to his skin color, millions of Americans were denied the opportunity to see him play Major League baseball. The immortal catcher, Joshua Gibson played his entire professional career in the Negro Leagues for both the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, and along with Satchel Paige, was by far the most heralded player in the league. While Negro League statistics are unofficial, it is said that including all of his "semi-pro" and Negro League games, Gibson hit approximately 950 home runs including 75 in 1931 and 69 in 1934!

He once hit a home run that was officially measured 575 feet, and folklore tells us he is the only player to ever hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium, propelling a home run OVER the left field façade! He topped .400 several times, hit approximately .384 lifetime, and if that isn't enough, was the best defensive catcher of his time including what many experts considered a "shotgun" throwing arm. While all of these statistics are certainly unofficial, no baseball purist can argue the point of his pinnacle excellence and what "may have been" had he broken the "color barrier" along with Jackie Robinson. Sadly enough, after Robinson joined the Dodgers, Gibson was certainly next in line, but he tragically died of a stroke in his mid-thirties. For all of Gibson's aforementioned accomplishments as well as his remarkable mystique, he is often called the "Black Babe Ruth", and deservedly so since everyone who either played against him or watched him play, agreed that no one was better!

Unfortunately, our illustrious hobby has only produced a SOLE mainstream issue portraying this legendary slugger with Joshua Gibson's 1950-'51 Toleteros rookie card residing as his ONLY baseball card, prompting this world-class offering. Gibson's classic batting stance pose projects magnificent contrast and crystal clear clarity, as the iconic slugger completes his majestic swing against a batting cage background. Near-perfect centering between four snow white borders, blistering sharp corner tips, a bold black "JOSHUA GIBSON" text beneath his hallowed illustration, and a super clean blank back are additional superlatives justifying the hallowed PSA 8 assessment.

Less than 30 of these seldom-surfacing Josh Gibson rookies have been graded by PSA/SGC, substantiating its irrefutable paucity level for any grade, let alone this "finest of its kind" keepsake. While the "Ruth vs. Gibson" argument may never achieve full resolution as to who was the better "professional" player, what we do know with 100% certainty is that there are a myriad of Ruth cards to choose from and only ONE Joshua Gibson subject. With that in mind, why not go the distance and aggressively pursue this pinnacle Gibson rookie card example that synonymous with Gibson's unparalleled baseball prowess, has clearly outdistanced its peers!

MIN BID $25,000