(LOT 61)
1957 Topps #1 Ted Williams PSA 9 MINT - Only One PSA Example Graded Higher!
MINT #1 TED!!! It was immensely fitting that the Topps Chewing Gum Co. chose Ted Williams to be the #1 subject in their renowned 1957 set, more than apropos for baseball's greatest hitter. By 1957, The Thumper had established himself as our National Pastime's premier slugger, even in lieu of other great hitters such as Mantle, Mays, and Aaron. Ted did not disappoint Topps for their wise selection, for in 1957 he would post an unfathomable .388 batting average and 1.257 OPS at the age of 39, while also blasting 38 homers in the twilight of his extraordinary career. Those figures are beyond comprehension for any player in their prime, with The Kid placing an exclamation point on an extraordinary MLB tenure. That said, this stupendous PSA 9 MINT 1957 Topps #1 subject joins only 0.2% of the approximate 5,900 PSA encapsulated copies at this hallowed assessment, with a sole example graded higher!

A perfect testament to Williams' extraordinary career, Ted would always claim, "I would love to walk down the street one day with people passing me, stating there goes the greatest hitter the game has ever seen". Such was the dream of a young Ted Williams as he pursued his place in baseball history with steadfast persistence. Unlike most, Ted's dream did become a reality, and most baseball experts agree that Ted Williams is our National Pastime's premier all-time hitter. He would ultimately end his 19-year career with a .344 lifetime average, 521 home runs, and 1.116 OPS, as well as being the last player to hit .400 in that magical 1941 season. Furthermore, the Splendid Splinter not only handled his lumber better than anyone who ever stepped into a batter's box but also served two courageous stints as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, with his uncanny eyesight enabling him to shoot down 16 enemy aircraft. Both his iconic baseball stature and wartime heroism led to him being the true embodiment of a national hero.

It is virtually inconceivable that the #1 card in any set portrays the pristine qualities exhibited by this flawless masterpiece. Collectors surely realize the ultra-condition sensitivity associated with a set's inaugural card due to their placement at the top of the stack, blatantly subjected to the elements as well as potential rubber band damage. This offering's Williams batting pose features superb contrast and crystal-clear clarity as the immortal Williams has just completed his legendary swing. Most significantly, the classic image reveals near-perfect centering and no tilt whatsoever, with only the slightest trace of partiality towards the upper edge. It's no secret that most 1957 Topps cards are plagued with skewed illustrations and severe tilts, with this astonishing keepsake defying those typical blemishes. The perimeter exhibits razor-sharp edging and four scintillating pin-point corner tips, with both surfaces boasting pack-fresh quality, the final exclamation points for this miraculous masterpiece.

It's nearly impossible, to say the least, that any #1 subject card could surpass the brilliant aesthetics and technical superiority of this remarkable offering. How this exalted subject managed to sustain its original pristine quality over a nearly 66-year period is beyond reasoning, and virtually anyone holding this card would assume that it was just pulled from a 1957 wax pack. As a momentous point of reference, this EXACT SAME CARD fetched an extraordinary $138K in a January 2022 public auction, more than justifying its unparalleled eye appeal versus its inferior peers. Tantamount with Teddy Ballgame's relentless pursuit of being dubbed as baseball's greatest hitter, both this Cooperstown-worthy marvel and William's unprecedented batting prowess are a dynamic duo certainly meriting a best of the best title!

MIN BID $15,000

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