(LOT 87)
Unique 1948 Leaf #98 Autographed Hal Newhouser Single Print with Wrong Back (PSA Gem Mint 10 Auto Grade) – The Only Known Autographed 1948 Leaf #98 Newhouser "Wrong Back" Example Extant!
Of all the immortal Hall of Fame pitchers, only one twirler has managed to win 2-consecutive M.V.P. awards, with that distinct honor belonging to the Tigers' crafty southpaw Hal Newhouser. In 1944 and '45, Newhouser claimed the American League M.V.P. award via his staggering 29 and 25-win seasons, leading the Tigers to the 1945 World Series title against the Chicago Cubs. Incredibly, Newhouser almost claimed a third consecutive M.V.P. when he tallied a league-leading 26 wins and 1.94 E.R.A. in 1946, finishing second in the voting to the iconic Ted Williams. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 with the great Tom Seaver, Newhouser's most coveted cardboard issue is his 1948 Leaf #98 "Single-Print (SP)" subject that seldom surfaces in any condition, one of forty-nine different SP subjects issued in the landmark '48 Leaf bubble gum set.

An even more excruciating task is obtaining a "wrong-back" Leaf Newhouser subject that includes an upside-down Fred Hutchinson bio on the verso, with PSA's illustrious "Pop" Chart listing only five meager "wrong-back" examples (vs. 140+ correct Newhouser bio backs). Keeping this notion in mind, presented here just happens to be the ONLY KNOWN "wrong-back" Leaf Newhouser example autographed by the Cooperstown inductee! Indeed, this signed "wrong-back" Newhouser Leaf offering is truly unique, and it just happens to portray an awe-inspiring PSA Gem Mint 10 black Sharpie "Hal Newhouser" signature. While the single-print card reveals scattered wrinkles/creasing, somewhat even corner wear and the super rare Fred Hutchinson bio back, the critical Newhouser pitching image portraying his standard eerie black eyes has eluded any obtrusive flaws. Most significantly, the "PSA 10" autograph boldly scripted across his Tigers jersey completely "steals the show", with this irrefutable "one-of-a-kind" rarity meriting a final resting place in any world-class autograph or type card collection!

MIN BID $2,500
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