(LOT 86)
1909 T206 Walter Johnson "Hands at Chest" – El Principe De Gales (PSA NM/MT 8) - "1 of 1 and the HIGHEST GRADED El Principe De Gales!"
Most avid tobacco enthusiasts would agree that the exalted T206 Walter Johnson "Hands at Chest" tobacco card is one of the highly coveted T206s. Inexplicably, no major "E" (except the unpopular E91) or Bread cards were issued for Walter Johnson, substantiating why his "T" cards are highly sought by the most esteemed collectors. The T206 example presented here resides as one of the most brilliant high-grade cards in the industry, an astonishing PSA NM/MT 8 Walter Johnson "Hands at Chest" El Principe De Gales (EPDG) T206 that just happens to be the SOLE and HIGHEST GRADED EPDG example on the planet! Unfathomable to say the least, it paradoxically separates itself from all of its peers (its closest competitor is a measly PSA 5) in a similar manner as the "Big Train's" pitching exploits have placed him at a level so far beyond our National Pastime's seemingly infinite list of inferior hurlers.

From a statistical perspective, Johnson's achievements have earned him sole bragging rights as the finest all-time twirler, starting with his modern-day record of 417 victories, a staggering amount considering he pitched for a weak second division team most of his storied career. His A.L. dominance included 3 Pitching Triple Crowns (1913, 1918, 1924), 5 E.R.A. titles, 6 times leading the league in victories and an unfathomable 12 strikeout titles! At the end of his incredible career, he amassed more than 3,500 strikeouts, posted a microscopic 2.17 lifetime E.R.A., and most amazingly, a record 110 of his 417 victories were via the shutout route (including 38 "1-0" victories). Strongly consistent with Johnson's supreme status as baseball's greatest pitcher are the world-class technical attributes of this "best of the rest" masterpiece.

We cannot imagine a better testament for this fire-balling icon then this absolute cardboard blazer. His "Hands at Chest" image is a near-perfect masterpiece, encompassed by rich blue hues, blinding white borders and a razor sharp perimeter that includes four blistering sharp corner tips. The excellent centering only exhibits a "hint" of favoritism towards the upper left edges, and the significant EPDG ad back exhibits bold red hues. Virtually all of the attributes are consistent with a "pack fresh" card, and synonymous with Johnson's pinnacle standing as baseball's foremost pitcher, its EPDG technical assessment stands tall at the top of the "Pop" charts!

MIN BID $5,000
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