(LOT 52)
1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie Card PSA 6 EX-MT
Legendary Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson may not be the greatest statistical player ever, but his "breaking the MLB color barrier" in 1947 may be most significant occurrence in our National Pastime's glorious history! Hobby enthusiasts scramble to collect Jackie's high-end baseball cards, and one of them is offered here, his 1948 Leaf rookie card in an outstanding PSA 6 EX-MT holder. What else can we say about the immortal Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson that hasn't already been said? He won an MVP, led the Dodgers to six pennants, stole bases, hit for average and power, fielded his position flawlessly and was as fiery a competitor the game has ever seen.

Little did Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson realize that their landmark 1947 signing would forever change America's favorite pastime, with this dynamic duo etched in the minds and hearts of millions of avid baseball enthusiasts. Jackie Robinson's influence on African American baseball players is widely considered one of the game's iconic occurrences, such to the point that his iconic number 42 has been officially retired for ALL Major League baseball teams. America's foremost sports personalities such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, Jim Thorpe, Knute Rockne, Lou Gehrig, Secretariat and Muhammad Ali have all been rewarded for their world-class achievements with memorable motion picture movies, so it was no surprise when Hollywood released "42" to commemorate Robinson's indelible stamp on baseball.

For all these reasons, any early cardboard artifact of the great Robinson is highly sought-after by serious enthusiasts, and this '48 Leaf rookie marvel easily stands as his most treasured cardboard artifact. Robinson's classic portrait pose provides exceptional resolution and contrast, with his Dodger cap emanating a spectacular blue hue. While the well-centered "top to bottom" image does show some partiality towards the right edge, its white borders, clean surfaces, somewhat right-angled corners brilliant yellow background, and eye pleasing verso all combine to more than offset the imperfect centering. 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 MLB's inaugural African-American player.

Indeed, his iconic standing stems from the embodiment of courage he displayed when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, breaking baseball's "color-barrier" that had unjustly suppressed a myriad of talented African-American ballplayers for 75+ years. Simply stated, his legendary status extends far beyond the game, 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. It is no secret that Jackie's 1948 Leaf subject has skyrocketed in value, with a PSA 6 fetching nearly $100K and a PSA 7 miraculously exceeding the $400K in 2021. These pricing points clearly substantiate the notion that no Robinson cardboard subject stands as a finer testament to his unparalleled legacy than a spectacular '48 Leaf example, with this magnificent PSA 6 EX-MT keepsake destined to be a centerpiece attraction in any world-class compilation!
MIN BID $12,500
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