(LOT 72)
1951 Bowman Whitey Ford Rookie Card PSA 8 NM-MT - Only 5 PSA Examples Graded Higher!
FORD ROOKIE!!!... One of the most coveted post-WWII rookie cards is the renowned 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford inaugural subject, presented here in a brilliant PSA 8 NM-MT holder. Of the approximate 1,700 PSA encapsulated examples, only 2.8% have managed to achieve this lofty assessment with a paltry five examples graded higher! The #1 card in the set, it has somehow managed to elude the typical wear associated with #1 subjects due to their placement at the top of many '51 Bowman baseball card stacks and susceptible to rubber band marks, sunlight, staining, etc. Synonymous with Ford being chosen by the renowned Bowman Gum Company as the #1 subject in this prestigious post-WWII set are Ford's world-class accomplishments that earned him a permanent home in Cooperstown, New York.

Dubbed the "Chairman of the Board", the Hall of Fame southpaw tallied lifetime figures of 236 victories, a scintillating 2.75 ERA and an incredible .690 winning percentage, the latter a modern-day record for 200+ game winners. Ford's exploits weren't restricted to the regular season for it was his World Series efforts that gained him the most popularity; claiming a record ten World Series victories and 33 consecutive scoreless innings! It was that amazing scoreless streak that broke none other than Babe Ruth's all-time mark, and it isn't every day that a ballplayer can boast a feat that erased a legendary Bambino record. Similar to his top of the charts record streak is this remarkable offering that depicts a pack-fresh Ford lithographic image portraying crystal clear clarity and unbeatable resolution.

Ford's boyish smile virtually reflects a 3D quality, with the eye-pleasing centering depicting only an extremely modest tilt towards the lower right corner. Clean white borders, pinpoint corners, razor-sharp edging and a gleaming pack-fresh obverse side surface complete one of the finest Whitey Ford rookie cards extant, with the only notable issue being the image slightly favoring the right edge. Indeed, even the verso has managed to elude any glaring gum stains that typically plague this esteemed subject. Seldom surfacing at the hallowed 8 NM-MT assessment, this extraordinary masterpiece is the perfect testament to Ford's impeccable legacy, firmly standing tall as one of the most coveted post-WWII rookie cards extant!

MIN BID $5,000
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