(LOT 34)
1949 Bowman #50 Jackie Robinson PSA 8 NM-MT - Robinson Bowman Rookie
JACKIE BOWMAN ROOKIE!!! The tsunami surge of Jackie Robinson's collectibles continues to dominate our illustrious hobby, with this cultural icon's early cardboard issues seemingly achieving record-breaking prices each and every day. From his historic feat of breaking the MLB color barrier on April 15, 1947, Jackie instantly changed not only baseball but America forever. Arguably standing as the most significant event in our National Pastime's glorious history, it has prompted hobbyists to frantically pursue Jackie's finest baseball cards, including his cherished late 1940s rookie-era issues. That said, his inaugural 1949 Bowman #50 subject is presented here in a spectacular PSA 8 NM-MT holder, with only a fractional 1.1% of the 1,700+ PSA encapsulated examples graded higher.

Starting his MLB career at the late age of 28, Jackie Robinson played only a decade with the Brooklyn Dodgers before calling it quits after the 1956 campaign, most likely due to his desire to explore various business prospects, exiting with an outstanding .313 lifetime batting average. In that relatively shortened time span, he won an MVP, led the Dodgers to six pennants and Brooklyn's only world championship in 1955, stole bases, hit for average and power, fielded his position flawlessly and was as fiery a competitor as the game has ever seen. Little did Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson realize that their landmark 1947 signing would forever change America, with this dynamic duo etched in the minds and hearts of millions of avid baseball enthusiasts. Jackie Robinson's influence on African American baseball players is iconic, to say the least, and it is for this reason alone that early artifacts of the great Jackie are highly coveted within the collecting community.

Whether it's game-used mementos, tickets, autographs, cards, etc., prices for Robinson's memorabilia have taken off like an ICBM missile, with seemingly no end in sight for this exponential value escalation. Of course, it's his pre-1950 cards that prompt an unprecedented frenzy throughout the hobby, and along with his inaugural 1947 Bond Bread Portrait and 1948/49 Leaf subjects, no issue is more prominent than a high-grade 1949 Bowman rookie keepsake. Robinson's classic portrait pose portrays vivid clarity and contrast, with his bold blue-hued Dodger cap and robust red background emanating immaculate aesthetics. The relatively well-centered image modestly favors the upper left edges between four off-white borders, and no obtrusive surface flaws are evident.

For full disclosure, while the left edge reflects a somewhat rough factory cut (with many '49 Bowman subjects exhibiting rough edge cuts), the pack-fresh surfaces, right-angled corners, and a super-eye-pleasing verso all combine to support the world-class PSA 8 assessment. Robinson's immortal standing stems from the embodiment of courage he displayed when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, breaking baseball's color barrier that had unjustly suppressed a myriad of talented African American ballplayers for 75+ years. It's no secret that Jackie's 1949 Bowman subject has skyrocketed in value, with several 2021 PSA 8 sales realizing $73K and $71K, as well as a PSA 9 MINT specimen fetching a staggering $522K. These pricing points justify the concept that a high-grade 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson subject stands as an unwavering testament to his unparalleled legacy that will surely echo for eternity, with this rookie cardboard masterpiece boasting unlimited investment potential!

MIN BID $10,000

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