(LOT 286)
1931 W517 #35 Lou Gehrig Blue Tint (SGC NM/MT 8) – "1 of 3" SGC Subjects; Highest Graded Example!
This remarkable SGC "NM/MT 8" 1931 W517 #35 Lou Gehrig "blue tint" offering joins two other examples as the finest SGC example extant! The early 1930's would see the majestic "Iron Horse" slowly pass the incomparable Babe Ruth with regard to their competitive batting prowess. Along with fellow first baseman slugger Jimmie Foxx, Gehrig was placing his indelible stamp on the game as baseball's finest hitter, and the 1931 campaign would be one of his greatest season ever as he led the American League with 46 homers and a staggering 185 R.B.I.'s, with the latter still residing as a Junior Circuit single season record! Similar to Ruth, other than Gehrig's 1932 US Caramel and a handful of 1933 and 1934 Goudey issues, there are not a myriad of 1930 cards representing the "Iron Horse", justifying why this "best of the rest" W517 offering is a most significant issue.

Ultra-popular with collectors, W517's were distributed in vertical strips of 3 cards with each subject measuring approximately 3" x 4". This exalted offering reveals a super clean Gehrig portrait pose that was likewise utilized for his esteemed 1926-'29 Exhibit card. This hand-cut "blue-tint" offering has retained a majority of its original factory issued attributes, including breathtaking clarity and impeccable contrast. The lower right quadrant reveals the "Lou Gehrig – YANKEES A.L." bold blue text and the central image portrays fine centering, only slightly favoring the right edge. Clean front & back surfaces and sharp corners complete this seldom surfacing gem that synonymous with the Gehrig's unbridled standing as baseball's greatest all-time 1st baseman, proudly stands tall as one of the three pinnacle SGC examples!

MIN BID $1,000
_