(LOT 127)
Unique for the Grade 1962 Topps #143 Babe Ruth - Greatest Sports Hero "Green Tint" PSA 10 GEM MINT – The SOLE PSA 10 GEM MINT Example!
"POP 1" BABE!!!... The 1962 Topps set includes a host of fascinating anomalies and subsets, with one of the printing blips resulting in second series card numbers 110-196 revealing a more obscure early printing greenish tint. An ultra-popular compilation, its most desirable subset are the 10 Babe Ruth cards issued from checklist numbers 135-144 as a celebration of the iconic Sultan of Swat, with these cards obviously included in the second series and subject to the scarcer green tint illustrations. That said, presented here just happens to be one of the greatest Babe Ruth cards extant, with respect to its unique "POP 1" stature.

This PSA 10 GEM MINT 1962 Topps #143 Babe Ruth Greatest Sports Hero offering resides as a "green tint" variation, and just happens to be the SOLE PSA 10. Indeed, not a single other specimen has achieved grading perfection for ANY #143 subject, green tint or normal print, with this miraculous keepsake's pop status synonymous with Babe Ruth's title as our National Pastime's irrefutable greatest all-time player! It is no secret that finding any 1962 Topps subject residing in a PSA 10 holder is a near-impossible task since only 125 or a fractional 0.049% of the total 257,388 PSA encapsulated copies for all 598 subjects (at the time this was written) have achieved grading perfection. This is due to the ultra-condition sensitive wood-grain borders that are susceptible to severe chipping, as is the case with T205 Gold Border, 1955 Bowman and 1971 Topps issues.

The perfect assessment is well merited, highlighted by an immaculate image of Ruth electrifying his ardent fan base during the twilight of his storied life. A stricken Ruth, as always, appears more than content to sign autographs for his captivated fans, even though the great Bambino was at the stage of his life where he would soon pass away from the ill effects of throat cancer. You can obviously see the factory issued green tint, with the iconic image revealing near-perfect centering between four remarkable brown borders. Incredible as it may seem, NONE of the borders reveal a notable chip, ending at a razor-sharp perimeter including four blistering sharp corner tips. Impeccable surfaces and a flawless verso are the final exclamation points justifying the virtually impossible assessment, and PSA's population report indicates that only a single other subject from the Ruth 10-card subset boasts a "10" grade (#137 – Babe & Mgr. Huggins).

True, this one of one PSA 10 might not have been issued during the Babe's illustrious playing days; however, its undisputed standing as the SOLE example at this pinnacle grade immediately places it as one of the most momentous Babe Ruth cards on the planet. Stubbornly defying father time for the past 61 years and recently graded by PSA (see recent serial # 66587797 on PSA label), our utmost compliments to its previous owners who meticulously preserved this Cooperstown worthy masterpiece in its original factory issued pristine state right to the point of its insertion in the illustrious PSA 10 holder. One of the most unfathomable post-WWII cards you will ever come across and the arguable finest known '62 Topps subject, its highly fortunate new owner is only a final bid away from unparalleled cardboard bragging rights!

MIN BID $2,000
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