(LOT 159)
1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA 6 EX-MT
SAY HEY KID ROOKIE!!! The Say Hey Kid's undisputed rookie card is his 1951 Bowman #305 subject, with the '51 Bowman issue holding a special place in collectors' hearts since it includes the first and second-year cards for two of baseball's immortal center fielders, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. These two rookies stormed the Big Apple in 1951, setting the groundwork for what would be an incredible joy ride in the New York metropolitan area. Along with the Dodgers' Duke Snider, it was unfathomable that any city could possibly reap the benefits of three immortal center fielders during the same era. Mays was unquestionably the better five-tool player of the three and is still considered by many as the greatest all-around player in baseball history. Previously undervalued for the past several years, the Say Hey Kid's 1951 Bowman has finally realized the earth-shattering values it truly merits. In 2021, a PSA 8 example achieved a record-setting $338K pricing point, while a PSA 7 reached $90K in the spring of 2022. As a worthy testament to his unbridled immortality, offered here is a stellar 1951 Bowman Mays rookie card in a highly coveted PSA 6 EX-MT holder.

There isn't a single baseball historian who omits the legendary Giants center fielder from their list of the top five all-time baseball players. Mays could hit for average and power, run the bases, throw, and play centerfield as well, if not better, than anyone who ever played the game. Whether it was his amazing over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series in the deepest confines of the Polo Grounds, his 660 round-trippers, or superior base running skills, Mays' legacy will outlast eternity, and we cannot imagine a finer testament to his unparalleled stature than an eye-pleasing rookie subject. Many qualities of the offered example are consistent with a higher assessment, including a brilliant lithographic batting image of Mays preparing to clout another horsehide sphere. Fine corners consistent with the grade, rich hues, and relatively clean surfaces are the highlights, with the fine side-to-side centering slightly compromised by the illustration favoring the lower edge. For full disclosure, its only notable stigma is what appears to be some modest gum remnants situated near the lower border. The overall awe-inspiring aesthetics support the 6 assessment, with this PSA 6 Mays' keepsake truly destined to reside in any formidable rookie card or '51 Bowman gathering!

MIN BID $5,000
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