(LOT 85)
1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose Rookie Card (PSA Mint 9) – Only One Example Graded Higher!
The on-going rise of iconic post-WWII rookie cards continues to be one of the hottest collecting angles in the hobby, with no end seemingly in sight for the spiraling pricing points of America's greatest sports heroes! One of those legendary cards on this distinguished list is the immortal 1963 Topps rookie issue for Pete Rose, with prior pricing points reaching as high as six-figures plus for "Mint 9" examples of this highly coveted inaugural Rose issue.

That said, we are proud to present this astonishing PSA Mint 9 #537 Peter Rose 1963 Topps gem that incredibly has only been bested by a SOLE specimen! Indeed, PSA has currently encapsulated nearly 5,000 examples of this illustrious Rose subject with only one copy managing to achieve the pinnacle "10" assessment, and only 0.6% (30 copies) residing at the "Mint 9" grade. Considering the tsunami-like pricing of high-grade inaugural issues for Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente (just to mention a few), it is with little surprise that the Rose rookie is likewise part of this elite class of highly valued "rookie card" cardboard commodities.

Mister "Charlie Hustle" himself, currently sits at the top baseball's all-time hit list and no Rose baseball card is more desirable than his 1963 Topps high number rookie card. We all know the story of why Pete Rose hasn't been inducted into baseball's illustrious Hall of Fame, with his gambling exploits barring him from Cooperstown eligibility. While it remains to be seen how this scenario plays out, one cannot deny his all-time hit record, and the aggressive style of baseball he was most famous for, leading to the renowned "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Furthermore, so awe inspiring were his achievements, baseball fans simply could not leave him off baseball's "team of the century" roster.

Regarding this supreme offering, virtually every attribute is consistent with a "pack-fresh" example including a brilliant image portraying extremely rich hues, fine centering (approximately 55/45 "left to right"), sparking colors, vivid print registration, glistening surfaces and pinpoint corners. A "blazer": to say the least, it has withstood some 57 years of potential wear to remain in this extraordinary mint state, boasting a breathtaking portrait image of "Pete's" inaugural cardboard appearance. While Pete Rose's Cooperstown status remains an unresolved issue, his representation on this awe-inspiring offering unquestionably stands as a perfect candidate for any cardboard Hall of Fame gathering, with its sheer existence placing it as one of the premier Pete Rose rookie cards on the planet!

MIN BID $15,000
___