(LOT 548)
Spectacular 1917 Boston Store Rogers Hornsby Rookie Card (SGC 80/6) - "1 of 1"; Sole & Highest Graded Example on the COMBINED SGC & PSA "Pop" Charts!
HORNSBY ROOKIE!!!... The ultra-rare 1917 Boston Store Rogers Hornsby inaugural cardboard issue is one of the most underrated rookie cards extant, and is a "must have" for any sophisticated gathering. In 1917 the Boston Store clothier produced a 200-card set almost identical to the Collins McCarthy Candy Co. With cards of the incomparable Babe Ruth and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson included in the set, many of the other prominent Cooperstown inductees fall short of the full recognition they deserve including the great Rogers Hornsby's first baseball card issue. Presented here just happens to be that seldom surfacing Hornsby rookie card treasure, an SGC 80/6 Boston Store example that stands as the SOLE and HIGHEST GRADED specimen on the COMBINED SGC and PSA population reports.

Synonymous with its "finest of its kind" stature is Hornsby's batting prowess since most baseball experts consider the "Rajah" our National Pastime's premier all-time right handed hitter. Statistically speaking, Hornsby's numbers certainly support that claim with 6 consecutive batting titles, a .358 lifetime average, the highest modern day average (.424 in 1924), and most incredibly, averaging .400 over 5 consecutive seasons (1921 - 1925)! Yet, with all his batting accomplishments, Hornsby has not received much adoration, making him an almost underrated immortal. While there are a few Hornsby caramel and exhibit cards from his peak value years (1920 - 1925), other than a few strip cards, there are virtually no major pre-1920 issues justifying why his 1917 rookie card presented here is such a prestigious artifact. Ironically, Hornsby's rookie provides a black & white throwing image (vs. hitting) with his position listed as 1st base as opposed to his legendary 2nd sacker position.

The throwing pose exhibits near-perfect contrast and clarity with the seemingly timeless image partly favoring the right edge between four cream hued borders. No obtrusive creasing/flaws are evident on either side, and the Boston Store advertisement is bold and vivid. Only a modest "soft" upper right corner prevents a higher assessment with the remaining three corners exhibiting square formations. While the Rogers Hornsby rookie card exists as a desirable and valuable collectible, we strongly feel it hasn't nearly materialized to the pinnacle hobby status it unquestionably merits. Considering the hobby's current rookie card craze coupled with this card's irrefutable stature as the SOLE "best of the rest" issue, we highly anticipate a bidding frenzy for this "unique for the grade" rarity. Similar to Hornsby's unparalleled hitting skills, this rookie card offering reigns supreme as the pinnacle example on the planet, more than justifying it as the perfect testament for Roger Hornsby's immortal legacy!

MIN BID $4,000