(LOT 51)
1938 Goudey Heads Up #274 Joe DiMaggio (PSA NM/MT 8)
Joseph Paul DiMaggio's diamond exploits will surely "echo for eternity" with the hard-hitting, smooth fielding New York Yankees centerfielder widely regarded as one of our National Pastime's greatest all-time ballplayers. There isn't a single person who doesn't understand the significance of "Joltin Joe's" esteemed standing in American history for DiMaggio's unparalleled legacy goes far beyond his baseball exploits. His surreal marriage to the dynamic "blond bombshell" Marilyn Monroe more than solidified his eternal stature, and simply stated, "Joe D's" iconic name will forever reside within the hearts and minds of his infinite-like faithful following. That notion, coupled with his incredible baseball resume including the seemingly insurmountable 56-game hitting streak, multiple MVP awards, Yankee World Championships (including four consecutive titles between 1936 and 1939) have etched an indelible mark within the souls of virtually every baseball purist. No wonder his earliest baseball cards are highly sought after by the collecting community, and only a handful of them could possibly matchup against this breathtaking PSA NM/MT 8 1938 Goudey #274 Heads Up marvel that has been bested by only 3 paltry examples!

Many meticulous enthusiasts still regard this issue as one of the true "American issued" Joe DiMaggio mainstream rookie cards since his 1936 World Wide Gum and 1937 O-Pee-Cee subjects are both Canadian issues. The classic DiMaggio line-drawing batting image including the ultra-popular caricature portrait illustration portrays magnificent contrast with superior blue, red and yellow coloring, set against a relatively clean background. One of the most recognized cardboard pictures, it reminds avid baseball fans of the superior batting skills possessed by "Joe D." that ably assisted him in tallying 361 lifetime dingers versus a remarkably low 369 strikeouts, by far the most inconceivable display of bat control for a power hitter in baseball history. The super desirable DiMaggio black text comments and cartoon drawings encompassing the caricature pose are bold and vivid, with the "JOE DIMAGGIO, Yankees" black print along the lower radiant yellow text box reflecting superior registration.

Razor sharp corner tips could draw blood, and the yellow framing only reveals a slight favoritism towards the left edge between four super clean borders. The verso is likewise brilliant, with the bold green verbiage affixed to a near-impeccable off-white surface; the final superlative for this sparkling cardboard keepsake that appears as if it has just been removed from a 1938 Goudey wax pack. To reiterate, we cannot over emphasize the significance of the "Yankee Clipper's" place not only in baseball history, but as the true embodiment of an American hero. Extraordinary to say the least, this spectacular Goudey heirloom literally turns back the clock, stimulating the avid collector to crave their youthful innocence and dream of standing in the batter's box or track down a batted ball with the unparalleled elegance of "Joltin Joe" DiMaggio!

MIN BID $10,000
_