(LOT 51)
Spectacular 1917 Collins-McCarthy #80 Rogers Hornsby Rookie Card PSA 4 VG-EX - "POP 1"; Highest Graded "Non-Qualifier" PSA Example w/a Collins-McCarthy Ad Back!
RARE HORNSBY ROOKIE!!!... The ultra-rare 1917 Collins-McCarthy Rogers Hornsby inaugural cardboard issue is one of the most underrated rookie cards extant, and a bona fide must have for any sophisticated gathering. In 1917 the Collins-McCarthy Candy Co. produced a 200-card set; almost identical to the Boston Store Clothier and Standard Biscuit Bread Co. issues. With cards of the incomparable Babe Ruth, "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner included in the set, many of the other prominent Cooperstown inductees fall short of the full recognition they deserve including the great Rogers Hornsby's first cardboard issue. Presented here just happens to be that seldom surfacing Hornsby rookie card in a super eye pleasing PSA 4 VG-EX holder, reigning supreme on the PSA census report as the SOLE and HIGHEST GRADED specimen sporting a Collins-McCarthy ad back. A bona fide "POP 1" rarity that is unique for the PSA assessment, only a single other PSA specimen equals its superior grade, a PSA 6 copy designated with a qualifier. As hobby enthusiasts surely realize, card qualifiers typically discount two full grades, thus placing this example in a tie for the title of the best of the best. For full disclosure, of the six total PSA listed Collins-McCarthy Hornsby rookies, two of them are Blank Backs, and while one of those Blank Back examples reflects a PSA 6.5 grade, there is an abundance of ambiguity as to whether these blank back cards are true Collins-McCarthy issues.

Synonymous with this offering's finest of its kind stature is Hornsby's batting prowess since most baseball experts consider "The Rajah" our National Pastime's premier all-time right-handed hitter. Statistically speaking, Hornsby's numbers certainly support that claim with six consecutive batting titles, a .358 lifetime average, the highest modern-day National League average (.424 in 1924), and most incredibly, averaging .400 over five consecutive seasons (1921-25)! Yet, for all of his batting accomplishments, Hornsby has not received much adoration, making him an extremely underrated baseball immortal. In 1915, The Rajah would make only 61 plate appearances in St. Louis, with the following 1916 campaign being his first full season. Hornsby wouldn't disappoint the Redbird fans, posting a .313 average, the first of 20 campaigns the multi-position infielder would surpass the .300 mark. While a few Hornsby caramel, exhibit and strip cards exist from his peak value years (1920-25), other than his scarce M101-6 Felix Mendelsohn subject, there are no other mainstream pre-1920 Hornsby issues. This justifies why his 1917 rookie card presented here is such a prestigious artifact. Ironically, Hornsby's rookie provides a black & white throwing image (vs. hitting) with his position listed as "1st Base" as opposed to his legendary second sacker position. The illustration exhibits impeccable contrast and clarity, with the seemingly timeless image portraying near-perfect centering.

A near-impossible occurrence, Hornsby's image is atypically positioned in virtually 50/50 fashion between four relatively clean borders. The cream-hued surface has eluded any obtrusive creasing/flaws, with the only negligible blemishes being some scattered toning and two microscopic surface nicks on Hornsby's belt. Even corner wear is consistent with any mid-grade example, and the "ROGERS HORNSBY – 1st B. – St. Louis Cardinals" text affixed to the lower border is completely intact. The final exclamation point is the verso's super bold Collins-McCarthy advertisement that does favor the right edge. It is no stretch to say this world-class offering emanates aesthetics in the 5 EX range, highlighted by its near-impossible to find dead-on centering. Fortunately, the PSA 4 assessment will more than suffice even the most meticulous collector due to its combined "POP 1" stature, spellbinding visual appeal and undisputed status as Hornsby's one and only rookie card. While the Rogers Hornsby 1917 Collins-McCarthy inaugural card exists as a desirable and valuable collectible, it remains extremely undervalued with immense investment potential. Considering the hobby's current rookie card craze coupled with this card's irrefutable stature as PSA's sole best of the rest specimen, we highly anticipate a bidding frenzy for this unique for the grade rarity. Similar to Hornsby's unparalleled hitting skills, this rookie card offering proudly resides as the pinnacle non-qualifier PSA example on the planet, more than justifying its sheer existence as the perfect testament for Roger Hornsby's immortal legacy!

MIN BID $5,000
_