(LOT 64)
1933 Goudey #56 Charlie 'Red" Ruffing PSA 9 MINT – "POP 3" – Highest Graded PSA Example!
YANKEE RED!!! PSA 9 Mint 1933 Goudeys are few and far between, justified by PSA's prestigious population report listing a microscopic 0.2% of the 94,000+ encapsulated examples at the hallowed "9 Mint" assessment. One of those seldom surfacing "9s" just happens to be presented here, a breathtaking specimen of the Yankees Hall of Fame right-handed hurler Charlie "Red" Ruffing. One of only three meager examples at this stratospheric plateau, not a sole copy has been graded higher, with this pinnacle offering similar to Ruffing's "king of the hill" stature during the peak of his illustrious career. One of the New York Yankees greatest all-time right-handed pitchers, Ruffing tallied a spectacular 272 wins in a formidable 22-year career, joining forces with HOF southpaw Lefty Gomez to ably assist the Yankees in winning six world championships. From 1936 – 1939, Ruffing won 20 or more games in each campaign, and it is no coincidence the Yankees captured World Series titles in those four consecutive seasons led by their hard-throwing hurler.

He posted double-digit wins in 14 separate campaigns, finally retiring in 1947 with the Chicago White Sox after 15 glorious seasons in the Big Apple (his first six campaigns were spent in Beantown). He was rightfully voted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1967, and it is with great pleasure that we now offer you his most sought-after cardboard issue depicting the near-impossible to find PSA 9 Mint grade. One of the highly coveted aspects of Ruffing's #56 Goudey subject is his stoic portrait pose that is set against a robust blue background. This particular pack-fresh example just happens to offer the boldest blue setting imaginable, highlighting Ruffing's stoic portrait image at a superior level. Sparkling facial hues, excellent centering revealing only the slightest "smidge" of partiality towards the upper edge, dazzling white borders and near-perfect right-angled corners all combine to support the premier assessment. Both the obverse and flipside surfaces have eluded any noticeable flaws, the final exclamation points for this irrefutable cardboard "blazer." Although this pristine-like offering fell short of the "10 Gem Mint" grade, it truly borders on perfection, and we cannot imagine the other two "9 Mint" Ruffing examples possibly matching the incomparable aesthetics radiating from this time defying masterpiece!

MIN BID $3,500
_