Lot # 229: 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA 6 EX-MT

Category: 1960-1969

Starting Bid: $5,000.00

Bids: 18 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer 2022 Auction",
which ran from 8/18/2022 12:00 PM to
9/10/2022 7:00 PM




(LOT 229)
1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA 6 EX-MT

MAYS ROOKIE!!! The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays irrefutably stands as his true rookie card, with the 1951 Bowman set including both the inaugural cards for the Big Apple's two iconic centerfielders, Mickey Mantle and the "Say Hey Kid". These two rookies stormed the baseball world in 1951, laying the groundwork to what would be an incredible joy ride in the New York Metropolitan area. In prior years, one of the most underrated post-WWII cards has always been the 1951 Bowman rookie card of the immortal "Say Hey Kid". However, since 2021, this concept has truly turned the corner for the 1951 Bowman Mays has finally realized the earth-shattering values it truly merits. In the Spring of 2021, a PSA 8 example achieved a record-setting $338K pricing point with nice PSA 7 specimens now surpassing the six-figure mark! Indeed, the Willie Mays rookie card has earned its due respect among the hobby's premier collectors and rightfully so, since there isn't a single baseball historian who omits the legendary Giants center fielder from their top five all-time player list.

Mays could hit for average and power, run, throw and play centerfield, as well, if not better than anyone who ever played the game. As a worthy testament to his unbridled immortality, offered here is a spectacular 1951 Bowman Mays rookie card residing in a PSA 6 EX-MT holder. As you can clearly see, many qualities of this legendary offering are consistent with a higher assessment, beginning with the brilliant lithographic image of Mays preparing to clout one of his 660 round-trippers. Vivid resolution, rich hues, relatively clean surfaces eluding the typical glaring print lines that plague this issue and extremely subtle corner wear are consistent with the grade. Most significant is the outstanding centering that atypically reveals a well-positioned image between four bright white borders, with only modest partiality towards the left edge. These world-class attributes, the recent surging pricing points for eye pleasing examples, and this grand offering's undisputed Willie Mays rookie card stature combine to merit it the utmost attention from any sophisticated collector!

MIN BID $5,000

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