(LOT 14)
1951 Bowman #165 Ted Williams PSA 9 MINT
SPLENDID SPLINTER!!!... "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 a steadfast persistence. Unlike most, Ted's dream did become a reality for most baseball experts agree that Ted Williams is our National Pastime's greatest hitter ever. His .344 lifetime average, 521 home runs, and lofty status as being the last player to bat .400 in that magical 1941 season all attest to this legacy. The "Splendid Splinter" as he was commonly called, not only handled the bat better than anyone who ever stepped into a batter's box, but served two stints as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War.

It is, therefore, both his baseball iconic stature and wartime heroism that led to him being the true embodiment of a National hero. With that in mind, we are proud to present a Ted Williams 1951 Bowman card that personifies his quest of being "second to none". His representation on this breathtaking 1951 Bowman gem in a PSA 9 holder has also achieved crème of the crop status in the baseball card industry. To date, PSA has graded over 2,000 examples with only 15 other examples achieving mint status and NONE graded higher! Indeed, this miraculous offering shares the distinction of being the finest of its kind! Ted's "godly" follow through swing depicts perfect resolution with a crystal clear stadium backdrop. All four borders are strong, and the razor sharp perimeter ends at four pinpoint corners.

The final "stamps of approval" are pristine-like surfaces as well as an immaculate verso. The term "pack fresh" ultimately defines this card, and it is no wonder that not a single other example has surpassed its grade. One must wonder how any card can achieve 'gem mint' status if this card falls short of the ultimate 10 grade. In fact, it is simply hard to imagine that any 66-year old card, let alone a Ted Williams specimen, could equal or surpass the aesthetics for this astonishing masterpiece. Ironically, whether hitting a baseball or shooting down enemy aircraft, Ted Williams was the best at his craft and this picturesque depiction of his 1951 Bowman subject compliments the notion of 'Teddy Ballgame' outdistancing the rest of his peers!

MIN BID $3,500