(LOT 69)
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312 PSA 8 NM-MT
Babe Ruth might reside as the cornerstone of our National Pastime, but Jackie Robinson's unbridled legacy truly places him only a few steps behind the Sultan of Swat. Defying what was believed to be insurmountable odds, in 1947 Jackie broke baseball's "color barrier", becoming the first African American to play 20th century major league baseball. Considering prior African-American legends such as Rube Foster, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige all fell short of this accomplishment (after Robinson, Paige did eventually play major league baseball), we cannot over emphasize the significance of this achievement. Almost sad to say, Robinson's remarkable batting, base-running and fielding skill sets simply get lost in the shuffle due to his "godly-like" stature as our National Pastime's inaugural African-American player. A spectacular second baseman, he could hit for average and power, and unquestionably stands as one of the finest baserunners in baseball history. Yet, when all is said and done, his iconic standing stems from the embodiment of courage he displayed when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, with so many prior African-Americans unjustly suppressed from partaking in the "big leagues".

One of Jackie's foremost cardboard heirlooms continues to be his highly touted 1952 #312 Topps "high-number" subject and this breathtaking PSA Mint 8 offering truly stands as a "near-perfect" representation of the immortal Robinson, with only 13 PSA examples graded higher. A robust red background provides the perfect backdrop to the classic Jackie portrait photo portraying near-perfect resolution and brilliant hues. Most significantly, the image exhibits fine centering (with only a slight favoritism/tilt towards the upper right edges), brilliant surfaces, and no glaring flaws, with its world-class attributes supporting the NM/MT 8 assessment. In closing, Robinson's legendary status extends far beyond baseball, for his unbridled bravery ultimately supported the justified notion that "all men are created equal", with his immortal stature a sheer testament for the proud foundation America was soundly built upon. One of the most significant Jackie Robinson cardboard mementos on the planet and synonymous with his bona-fide legacy it has defiantly withstood the "test of time," serving as a steadfast reminder of Robinson's amazing qualities that will surely "echo for eternity"!

MIN BID $5,000
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