(LOT 12)
1916 M101-5 #166 George Sisler Rookie Card – Blank Back (SGC 4 VG-EX) – "Low Pop"; Only One SGC Example Graded Higher!
One of the 1916 M101-5 set's most renowned subjects is legendary 1st baseman George Sisler, and it is his scarce "rookie card" that is presented here in a stellar SGC 4 VG-EX holder. One of only four SGC examples at this desirable mid-grade plateau, only a single SGC specimen has been graded higher! Had it not been for an optic nerve infection that hindered his eyesight, Sisler may have contested Cobb for the highest all-time lifetime average. He batted over .400 twice including an unfathomable .420 in 1922. Until the 21st century, he held the single season hit record with 257 hits in 1920 (a mark surpassed by the popular Ichiro Suzuki), and managed to end his career with a remarkable .340 batting average.

Comparable to his hitting prowess is this superb memento depicting Sisler in a classic black & white throwing pose, with the image favoring the left edge between four relatively clean off-white borders. Accounting for the grade is even corner wear, scattered toning and some stray surface wear typical with most century old cards. A diminutive surface blemish on the blank back is rendered virtually irrelevant, and both surfaces reveal the standard vintage/creamy hues typically evident on M101-5 subjects. One of the M101-5 issue's significant Hall of Fame rookie cards (along with Ruth, Thorpe, Stengel, Bancroft, Rixey, Jr. & Faber), it resides as George Sisler's irrefutable inaugural cardboard keepsake, justifying why we anticipate a myriad of elite rookie card enthusiasts to wage a fierce battle for its ultimate ownership!

MIN BID $400
_