(LOT 17)
1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig PSA 8 NM-MT
HIGH-GRADE IRON HORSE!!! The $303K record-setting sale of a 1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig bubble gum card in Memory Lane's 2021 Summer Auction electrified the hobby, placing an indelible stamp on the momentous spiking values of Ruth and Gehrig Goudey subjects. Indeed, this unprecedented sale rocked the card market, serving as a steadfast reminder of the seemingly infinite investment potential for some of the hobby's finest cardboard treasures. Some 89 years ago, little did the Boston, Massachusetts based Goudey Gum Co. realize that their landmark 1933 bubble gum cards would continue stealing the hearts of American hobbyists until the present day. As is the case with a majority of the 1930s issued sets, one of the top two players in the Goudey compilation is the immortal Lou Gehrig, with the illustrious Goudey Co. issuing two different subjects of the powerful Iron Horse (#'s 92 & 160) due to his magnificent stature. Once again, Memory Lane is proud to present a Gehrig's #92 Goudey subject in a breathtaking PSA 8 holder, with PSA's illustrious Pop chart listing only seven superior examples!

A countless number of elite enthusiasts extensively search for Lou Gehrig's most eclectic cardboard mementos and why not? Above everything else, the Iron Horse was the supreme model of courage, and his batting superiority led to an unfathomable 13 consecutive seasons of 100+ RBIs. Tragically, his incredible career was cut short by the deadly ALS disease which took his life at the tender age of 37. For all of his batting accomplishments, he will always be best remembered for his staggering 2,130 consecutive game streak. Furthermore, his incomparable farewell "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech will forever stand as our National Pastime's Gettysburg Address, unequivocally embracing a solemn nation. Unlike his star-studded teammate Babe Ruth, Gehrig was the quiet hero, simply going about his business in a relentless manner for 13 seasons and still receiving the utmost respect from his baseball peers and devoted fans. It is for all of these reasons that Lou Gehrig's most esteemed baseball cards are highly coveted by the collecting community, and arguably speaking, his #92 Goudey subject stands right alongside his 1925 Exhibit rookie card as his most prestigious issue.

The 1933 campaign would certainly suffice as another incredible campaign for Gehrig, with the slugging first sacker walloping 32 round-trippers, knocking in 140 runs and posting magnificent batting average (.334) and OPS (1.030) figures. With Ruth now aging and in the midst of a slow demise, the Iron Horse was now the dominant Yankee slugger who would capture the American League's Triple Crown the following '34 season. Therefore, it came as little surprise that the Goudey Gum Company would place Gehrig's iconic batting image on two separate Goudey subjects, and this #92 offering exhibits the sparkling aesthetics one would expect from any NM-MT 8 cardboard marvel. You can almost feel Gehrig's unparalleled strength via his awe-inspiring batting stance pose, with this lithographic image originally taken by none other than the illustrious baseball photographer, Charles M. Conlon. Remarkably, its overall brilliance reveals an abundance of pristine attributes including near-perfect contrast, crystal clear focus, and vibrant facial hues. The tranquil powder blue background ably assists in projecting Gehrig's timeless batting stance in "3-D" fashion, with the relatively well-centered image revealing some partiality towards the right edge.

For full disclosure, there is a modest area of decolorization near the lower right border, with this surface imperfection not even remotely impeding the captivating eye appeal of the Iron Horse's revered Charles Conlon batting image. Pinpoint corners, razor sharp edging, and a super clean verso are the final compliments for this timeless gem that has stubbornly defied "father-time." Lou Gehrig's exalted cardboard heirlooms will forever stand tall due to that captivating moment on July 4, 1939, when in lieu of being stricken with a deadly disease, he tearfully said goodbye to a packed house at Yankee Stadium. While we cannot officially turn back the clock to that storied event, as a grand testament for Gehrig's iconic legacy, collectors can surely capture some of his pinnacle mementos issued during his playing days, such as this sensational pack-fresh offering. Only a year shy of its 90th birthday, it proudly resides in a PSA 8 NM-MT holder while retaining virtually all of its original factory issued attributes. The hallowed assessment and magnificent visual appeal certainly qualify this resounding #92 Goudey Gehrig as one of the Iron Horse's finest preserved heirlooms, with this museum worthy masterpiece echoing for eternity and destined to be the centerpiece in any advanced collection!

MIN BID $25,000
_