(LOT 163)
1960 Topps #326 Signed Roberto Clemente PSA 8 NM-MT AUTO GRADE
Total Autographed Pop: 3; Total "Unsigned" Pop: 5,908; Var.% (Signed vs. Unsigned Pop): 0.05%
By 1960, Roberto Clemente had established himself as one of baseball's premier ballplayers. That 1960 campaign would see the line-drive hitter post an outstanding .314 batting average while belting 16 round-trippers and knocking in 96 runs. This would be the first of eight consecutive-seasons that Roberto would eclipse the .300 mark, with Clemente also notching his inaugural All-Star game appearance (the first of 15 All-Star nominations). Topps celebrated that '60 campaign by issuing an imposing #326 Clemente subject portraying the legendary right-fielder in a classic batting pose. This grand offering just happens to be one of only three PSA authenticated examples depicting a signature of the by-gone hero, with PSA grading the "Roberto Clemente" bold ink script an ultra-desirable "8 NM-MT."

This seldom-surfacing obscurity joins only two other scripted examples on the PSA "Pop" Chart, with an autographed '60 Topps Clemente representing a microscopic 0.05% of the 5,900+ Unsigned specimens. Of additional significance is the superb VG-EX eye appeal, with an abundance of 60+ year-old autographed vintage cards revealing extremely poor aesthetics. Stellar image quality, sparkling hues, even corner wear, and relatively clean surfaces eluding any obtrusive flaws all combine to place this "POP 3" marvel sporting a PSA 8 "Roberto Clemente script as one of his most prized heirlooms!

MIN BID $2,500