(LOT 81)
1952 Topps #407 Eddie Mathews "True" Rookie Card PSA 5 EX
MATHEWS ROOKIE!!!... When the Topps Bubble Gum Company released their landmark 1952 set, save the iconic #311 Mickey Mantle card, they just might have saved the best for last by choosing the great HOF 3rd sacker Eddie Mathews as their #407 subject. The final player of the legendary 1952 Topps gathering, the #407 Eddie Mathews example is his true ROOKIE CARD, residing as one of the most significant post-WWII cards in the hobby. Seldom surfacing with fine aesthetics, presented here is an outstanding '52 Topps Mathews in a PSA 5 EX holder that offers relatively nice centering and overall eye appeal beyond the rather conservative assessment. Mathews' elite Hall of Fame status as well as his highly coveted 1952 Topps high number rookie card have elevated his hobby stature to a world-class plateau. A prestigious member of the 500-homer club, Mathews was the undisputed finest third baseman of his generation.

The nine-time all-star belted 512 lifetime dingers, and until the great Mike Schmidt came along, Mathews was generally considered the greatest third sacker of all-time. The Mathews image is absolutely brilliant, eluding any major blemishes while emanating near-perfect clarity and splendid array of vibrant blue tints. The corners seem more consistent with an "EX-MT" specimen, the bright white borders have defied 71 years of potential wear, and the verso appears super clean. Most significantly, this particular example offers fine centering, with most subjects revealing extremely skewed images. Mathews' pose is well positioned side-to-side, and only partially favors the lower edge. No notable surface flaws are evident, with the overall aesthetics certainly consistent with higher graded examples. Yet, the right to own any mid-grade Eddie Mathews rookie card portraying super visual appeal is the critical issue, with this magnificent PSA 5 offering meriting superior hobby accolades!

MIN BID $3,500
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