(LOT 101)
1956-'61 Roger Maris "Rookie Era" Kansas City Athletics Photocards (PSA 5) - The SOLE PSA Graded Roger Maris & One of Only Two Encapsulated copies for ALL Subjects
Seldom surfacing in the hobby are the extremely nebulous 1956-1961 Kansas City Athletics postcards that have an assumed incomplete checklist in the Baseball Card Standard Catalog. Measuring approximately 3-1/4" x 5-1/2", these blank-backed postcard sized artifacts depict black & white borderless poses of Kansas City Athletic players with the set's most desirable and valuable subject easily being the legendary Roger Maris. While we cannot pinpoint exactly what year the Maris subject was issued, what we can safely state is that his ultra-rare Kansas City Athletics Photocards was issued in either 1958 or 1959 (Maris started the 1960 season with the Yankees), making this a sound "rookie-era" Roger Maris issue.

If "ultra-rarity" is what drives your collecting needs, this stellar PSA 5 offering just happens to be the SOLE Roger Maris specimen currently listed on the PSA "Pop" chart with PSA only listing a single Whitey Herzog 1956-'61 Kansas City Athletics example for ALL other subjects! Indeed, this "unique" PSA graded Maris offering provides the enthusiast with the ultimate possible paucity level since it clearly stands alone on PSA's illustrious population report. An irrefutable rookie era Roger Maris heirloom, little did Maris know that in a few seasons he would eventually eclipse one of the most heralded single season records, when in 1961 he blasted his 61st round-tripper on the final day of the season.

Regarded as one of our National Pastime's most historic moments, Maris accomplished the near-impossible by surpassing the immortal Babe Ruth's 60 homer mark, with this captivating event and his two consecutive MVP awards (1960/61) securing Maris' revered legacy. Regarding the card itself, fine mid-grade aesthetics support the technical assessment, with a youthful Maris reflecting a good-natured grin as he dons his classic Athletics uniform. Stellar contrast/resolution, a vivid facsimile autograph, even corner wear consistent with the grade and a relatively clean blank back complete this ultra-obscure offering that truly resides as the SOLE PSA encapsulated copy and a "near-impossible" Roger Maris keepsake to capture!

MIN BID $200

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