(LOT 567)
1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie Card PSA 8.5 NM-MT+ - One of Only 2 Examples at this Hallowed Tier!
BANKS ROOKIE!!!... One mention of the great Hall of Fame Chicago Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks immediately inspires the concept of "let's play two"! Known throughout Chicago as "Mr. Cub", Ernie Banks clubbed 512 lifetime home runs and is still the only shortstop ever to claim to consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards (1958 & 1959). As is the case for virtually all of our National pastime's bygone Cooperstown inductees, their most coveted and valuable cardboard memento is their inaugural card, with this magnificent PSA 8.5 1954 Ernie Banks rookie offering one of only 2 examples at this hallowed plateau with 16 or 0.5% of the 3,300+ encapsulated copies graded higher!

Portraying a brilliant portrait image, little did Banks realize he was about to embark on being baseball's premier power-hitting shortstop. The timeless pose and black & white hitting image emanate crystal clear clarity and rich hues, with the white background projecting both illustrations in an almost "3D-like" manner. Razor sharp right-angled corners, nearly impeccable surfaces and a super clean verso complete this 63-year old gem that has stubbornly withstood the test of time. Only a single other PSA example has managed to achieve this ultra-rare assessment, justifying why it merits a final resting place in one of the hobby's foremost rookie card or PSA Registered 1954 Topps gatherings.

MIN BID $2,500