(LOT 527)
1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie PSA 7.5 NM+
ROBERTO!!! Along with the exalted 1951 Bowman Mantle & Mays issues, no post-1950's rookie card is more valuable than the highly coveted 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente Rookie card, presented here in a breathtaking PSA Near Mint+ 7.5 holder. It is no secret that extremely high-end rookie cards continue to achieve staggering values, with one "Mint 9" Clemente actually fetching an extraordinary $1.1 million earlier this spring! Seemingly, no end is in sight for this extraordinary pricing escalation, with the 1955 Clemente inaugural issue one of the hobby's foremost rookie cards paving the way. This comes as little surprise to many advanced enthusiasts since Roberto Clemente's legendary status amongst the Hispanic baseball community is synonymous with the magnitude of Jackie Robinson's legacy to all African Americans.

Clemente's accomplishments include a .317 lifetime batting average, 3,000 career hits, the 1966 regular season MVP award, four batting titles, 12 consecutive gold glove awards, and if that isn't enough, in 1971 he won the World Series MVP when he dominated the Baltimore Orioles via his stellar hitting and fielding prowess. Yet, as is the case with the immortal Lou Gehrig, he will always be best remembered for his tragic death when, after the 1972 season, his plane crashed carrying supplies to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His legacy far surpasses most post-WWII Cooperstown inductees, with his iconic 1955 Topps issue on virtually every world-class collector's bucket list. Similar to Clemente's uncanny playing superiority is this remarkable offering that appears as if it has just been pulled from a 1955 wax pack.

A glistening surface includes the legendary portrait and batting poses that both exhibit crystal clear clarity and sparkling hues. The highlight of this card is the atypical near-perfect centering that reflects virtually 50/50 "top to bottom" positioning, and only an ever so slight favoritism towards the left edge. (approximately 45/55 – 48/52). Equally impressive are the blinding white borders and right-angled corner tips that show minimal ill effects. A bona-fide "blazer" that aesthetically presents itself at a higher assessment, it proudly stands tall as one of finest looking Clemente rookie cards you will ever come across with eye appeal far surpassing its already hallowed PSA 7.5 grade!

MIN BID $7,500
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