(LOT 45)
1939 Play Ball #26 - Joe DiMaggio (PSA Mint 9/OC) - "1 of 1"
JOLTIN JOE!!! There are a myriad of baseball immortals enshrined in Cooperstown including the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb and Wagner whose unparalleled contributions to our National Pastime substantiate why a seemingly infinite number of hobbyists scramble to obtain any cardboard artifact from their storied past. While these historical icons are among baseball's grandest players, nobody could possibly surpass the National popularity and admiration bestowed upon the legendary "Yankee Clipper", Joe DiMaggio. Throughout his playing days and post-retirement years, "Joltin" Joe's overall persona was perceived with magnificent awe and respect, as he represented the ultimate embodiment of a National hero.

Synonymous with Babe Ruth, his name is renowned across the globe, and his legend will forever hold a place in the hearts of baseball purists. One of his most sought-after pre-1940 cardboard relics is "Joe D's" 1939 Play Ball #26 subject, presented here in an absolutely miraculous PSA Mint 9/OC holder. PSA's illustrious "Pop" Chart indicates that only 13 "non-qualifier" Mint 9 cards or a microscopic-like 0.9% of the 1,400+ PSA encapsulated copies currently exist, with not a single PSA Gem Mint 10 example. This breathtaking PSA Mint 9/OC offering just happens to be the SOLE "Mint 9" specimen carrying a qualifier assessment, and aside from the skewed centering, virtually every other aspect of this card is amazingly consistent with any "Gem Mint 10" sports card!

It is no secret among collectors that the 1939 Play Ball DiMaggio has always been one of his toughest cards to locate with a well-centered image. This particular offering reflects centering that is approximately 55/45 "top-to-bottom" (well within PSA's 65/35 "Mint 9" parameter) and 30/70 "left-to-right", with the latter positioning the culprit for the "OC" qualifier. More significantly, the remaining aesthetics are truly consistent with any "pack-fresh" card that has achieved a PSA 10 grade, starting with the hallowed DiMaggio black & white portrait pose that emanates perfect contrast and unimprovable clarity. Scintillating corner tips could literally serve as paper cutters, and the immaculate-like surfaces have stubbornly defied "father-time" over the past 81 years.

Atypically, the verso does not reveal any gum stains, complimenting the obverse side via its array of near-perfect attributes including bold/jet black print affixed to a super clean gray surface. To reiterate, save the "side-to-side" centering, no other "Mint 9" 1939 Play Ball DiMaggio could possibly match the spine-tingling eye appeal emanating from this remarkable keepsake that was issued the year the Yankee Clipper would ultimately lead the Yankees to their fourth consecutive world championship. In 1969, "Joltin Joe" was voted baseball's "greatest living player", an extraordinary honor synonymous with this '39 Play Ball's brilliant qualities that arguably stand as the "best of the best!"

MIN BID $1,250
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