(LOT 345)
1951 Bowman Whitey Ford Rookie Card PSA 8 NM-MT - Only 4 Graded Higher!
One of the most coveted post-WWII rookie cards is the renowned 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford inaugural subject, presented here in a brilliant PSA 8 NM-MT holder. Of the approximate 1,650 PSA encapsulated examples, only 2.8% have managed to achieve this lofty assessment with a paltry four examples graded higher! The #1 card in the set, it has somehow managed to elude the typical wear associated with #1 subjects due to their placement at the top of many '51 Bowman baseball card stacks and susceptible to rubber band marks, sunlight, staining, etc. Synonymous with Ford being chosen by the renowned Bowman Gum Company as the #1 subject in this prestigious post-WWII set are Ford's world-class accomplishments that earned him a permanent home in Cooperstown, New York. Dubbed the "Chairman of the Board", the Hall of Fame southpaw tallied lifetime figures of 236 victories, a scintillating 2.75 E.R.A. and an incredible .690 winning percentage, the latter a modern-day record for 200+ game winners. Ford's exploits weren't restricted to the regular season for it was his World Series efforts that gained him the most popularity; claiming a record 10 World Series victories and 33 consecutive scoreless innings!

It was that amazing scoreless streak that broke none other than Babe Ruth's all-time mark, and it isn't every day that a ballplayer can boast a feat that erased a legendary "Bambino" record. Similar to his "top of the charts" record streak is this remarkable offering that depicts a pack-fresh Ford lithographic image portraying crystal clear clarity and unimprovable resolution. Ford's boyish smile virtually reflects a "3D" quality, with the eye pleasing centering depicting only an extremely modest "tilt" towards the lower right corner. Clean white borders, sharp right-angled corners, razor-sharp edging and glistening pack-fresh surfaces complete one of the finest Whitey Ford rookie cards extant, and we can only assume that the slightly skewed "left to right" centering prevented this timeless keepsake from achieving an even higher grade. Seldom surfacing at the hallowed "8 NM-MT" assessment, this extraordinary masterpiece is the perfect testament to Ford's impeccable legacy, firmly standing tall as one of the most coveted post-WWII rookie cards in our illustrious hobby!

MIN BID $7,500
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