(LOT 45)
1933 Worch Cigar Lou Gehrig (PSA 1) – "Name & Team in Box"
One of the most obscure 1930's issues are postcard sized 3-7/16" x 5-7/16" artifacts that featured black & white photos appearing in the Minneapolis Star and St. Paul Dispatch newspapers. Utilized as promotion cards for the Worch Cigar Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, these ultra-scarce 1933 stylish subjects are commonly referred to as "Worch Cigar", and carry no such advertisement relating to that respective company on either side of the card. As is the case with a majority of the 1930's cardboard issues, one of the top two players in the set is the immortal Lou Gehrig (Babe Ruth being the other), with his superb 1933 Worch Cigar card presented here in a PSA 1 holder. Its irrefutable obscurity is justified by the PSA "Pop" chart only listing a mere fifteen encapsulated copies.

Furthermore, this offering reveals the scarcer "Gehrig name & team" in box, with PSA's & SGC's census reports unfortunately not listing an accurate split of the two versions (only recently did PSA begin differentiating between the two versions). A countless number of enthusiasts search for Lou Gehrig's most eclectic cardboard mementos and why not? Above everything else, Lou Gehrig was the supreme model of courage. Tragically, his incredible career was cut short by the deadly "ALS" disease (now more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) which took his life at the young age of 37. Yet, with all of his "on the field" slugging accomplishments, he will always be best remembered for his staggering 2,130 consecutive game streak. Furthermore, his incomparable farewell "Luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech will forever be our National Pastime's Gettysburg Address.

Enticing the collector is a rare batting image of the "Iron Horse" as he completes his earth-shattering swing with the iconic #4 clearly visible on his jersey. Simply stated, Gehrig's classic batting image virtually "steals the show", with this esteemed memento surviving as one of the finest PSA 1 examples you will ever come across. Unquestionably revealing solid "VG+" aesthetics, only a peripheral 1/8" tear near the upper right border as well as some negligible surface abrasions on the reverse side account for the grade. Most important, the aforementioned stock tear is barely noticeable, with the stellar central image eye appeal dominating this buy-gone scarcity. In closing, most would agree that the incomparable Lou Gehrig was a passive hero, quietly going about his business that the mere mention of his name inspires a still tranquility amongst his vast following. No wonder a myriad of collectors pursue Gehrig's rarest cardboard keepsakes with only a handful more obscure than this Worch Cigar marvel that stands as a resounding testament to his unparalleled immortality!

MIN BID $500
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