(LOT 58)
1933 DeLong Gum Co. #7 Lou Gehrig PSA 8 NM-MT – Only One PSA Example Graded Higher!
The DeLong Gum Co. in Boston was one of the first manufacturers to issue baseball cards with bubble gum when they produced their popular 24-card set in 1933. Irrefutably, the immortal Henry Louis Gehrig stands as the foremost subject in this obscure set, presented here in a sensational PSA 8 NM-MT holder. One of a mere eight examples at this lofty tier, only a single example has managed to receive a higher PSA assessment! Most significantly, DeLong cards represent less than 10% of their 1933 Goudey Gum brethren, with only 235 Gehrig examples encapsulated by PSA at the time this was written versus nearly 2,500 PSA graded '33 Goudey Gehrigs. The Lou Gehrig DeLong subject stands heads and heels over the remaining 23 subjects, especially considering that the incomparable George Herman Ruth was inadvertently omitted from the set. Indeed, entering the 1933 season, Gehrig had placed a back seat to the "Babe" for his entire Yankee career, not only on the playing field but on virtually every baseball card issue released during their joint playing days.

However, that trend would now experience a sudden finality, not only due to the Bambino's absence from the DeLong compilation, but likewise due to Ruth's batting prowess now considered inferior to the Iron Horse who was in the prime of his remarkable career. The uncontested king of the DeLong set, the '33 campaign would see Gehrig post another array of incredible batting achievements, including a formidable .334 average, 32 homers, 140 RBIs, and sensational 1.030 OPS! While a specific pricing point for a PSA 8 DeLong Gehrig has not been realized in the recent past, a PSA 8.5 did sell for a staggering $264K roughly two years ago. This justifies why one would surely speculate that a PSA 8 specimen is worth well in excess of six-figures, especially considering significantly more abundant Goudey Gehrig 8s are fetching up to $150K, with one specific 1933 Goudey Iron Horse subject realizing a record setting $303K in July 2021.

The floodgates have obviously opened with regard to the excessive prices paid for Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig cards issued during their playing days, and will be interesting to see how collectors pursue this PSA 8 DeLong Gehrig, especially in lieu of its extreme rarity versus its Goudey peers. Undervalued for quite some time, it truly stands as one of the premier Lou Gehrig investment buys, and any sophisticated enthusiast would be wise to grab this scarce for the grade offering before that pricing level reaches an unattainable level. Regarding the condition of this elite offering, Gehrig's classic batting pose, unique for the DeLong Gum issue, reveals a sparkling array of colored tints and vivid resolution as Lou pulverizes another pitch towards the grandstands. The iconic image is set against the famous DeLong stadium backdrop that includes sparkling yellow, green, red and blue hues, and the relatively well-centered image does reveal some modest favoritism towards the upper left edges. Four pinpoint corner tips, near-immaculate surfaces, a razor-sharp perimeter and super clean verso complete this timeless masterpiece that has stubbornly defied father-time over the past 89 years.

A brilliant pack-fresh specimen to say the least, its awe-inspiring eye appeal is a strong testament to its previous owners who painstakingly sought to preserve the card's original integrity. Six years after its original release, the remarkable Iron Horse would sadly be diagnosed with the tragic ALS disease, abruptly ending his unfathomable 2,130-consecutive game streak that led to his iconic "Luckiest man of the Face of the Earth" July 4, 1939 speech at Yankee Stadium. It is a sheer combination of Gehrig's amazing courage and batting accomplishments that have elevated his hobby stature to a pinnacle level, with collectors painstakingly pursuing his exalted cardboard mementos. To reiterate, this DeLong heirloom resides as one of the most undervalued Gehrig issues from his peak playing days, with its ultra-sparse PSA 8 assessment and unquestionable rarity versus its Goudey brethren placing it as one of the most extraordinary Lou Gehrig cards on the planet!

MIN BID $25,000
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MLI is offering The Finest 1933 DeLong Gum Co. Set - #1 on the PSA Set Registry in an alternative selling format. All Lots numbered from 58-81 will be sold individually to the highest bidder, unless Lot # 57's hammer price exceeds the hammer price of Lots 58-81 combined cumulative total. In which case, the cards would be sold as a set. Once bidding starts, the green check mark below simply designates which format has the current high bid. In case of a tie - the set wins.

Lot 57 (Set Total):  $182,903
Lot 58-81 (Individual Card Total):  $282,440