(LOT 89)
1949 Bowman #50 Jackie Robinson "Bowman Rookie" PSA 8 NM-MT
Legendary Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson may not be the greatest statistical player ever, but his "breaking the Major League baseball color barrier" in 1947 may be most significant event in our National Pastime's glorious history! Hobby enthusiasts scramble to collect Jackie's high-end baseball cards, and one of them is offered here, his 1949 Bowman "Rookie" in an outstanding PSA 8 NM-MT 8. What else can we say about the immortal Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson that hasn't already been said? He won an MVP, led the Dodgers to six pennants, stole bases, hit for average and power, fielded his position flawlessly and was as fiery a competitor the game has ever seen. Little did Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson realize that their landmark 1947 signing would forever change America's Pastime with this dynamic duo etched in the minds and hearts of millions of avid baseball enthusiasts. Jackie Robinson's influence on African-American baseball players is widely considered one of the game's iconic occurrences, such to the point that his iconic number 42 has been officially retired for ALL Major League baseball teams.

America's foremost sports personalities such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, Jim Thorpe, Knute Rockne, Lou Gehrig, Secretariat and Muhammad Ali have all been rewarded for their world-class achievements with memorable motion picture movies, so it was no surprise when Hollywood released "42" to commemorate Robinson's indelible mark on our National Pastime. For all these reasons, any early cardboard artifact of the great Robinson is highly sought after by serious enthusiasts, and this inaugural '49 Bowman Jackie offering easily stands as one his most treasured cardboard artifacts. Robinson's classic portrait pose provides exceptional resolution and contrast, with his bold blue-hued Dodger cap and robust fire-engine red background emanating near-impeccable quality. Additional attributes supporting the highly-coveted assessment include an atypically well-centered image (only slightly favoring the upper edge), relatively clean borders (with a trace of mild toning), brilliant surfaces, pinpoint corners, razor-sharp edging and a super eye pleasing verso.

Almost sad to say, Robinson's remarkable batting, base-running and fielding skill sets simply get lost in the shuffle due to his "god-like" stature as our National Pastime's inaugural African-American player. His immortal standing stems from the embodiment of courage he displayed when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, breaking baseball's "color-barrier" that had unjustly suppressed a myriad of talented African-American ballplayers for 75+ years. Simply stated, his legendary status extends far beyond baseball, for his unbridled bravery ultimately supported the justified notion that "all men are created equal", with his immortal stature a sheer testament for the proud foundation America was soundly built upon. It is no secret that Jackie's 1949 Bowman subject has skyrocketed in value, with two PSA 8 examples fetching $73K and $71K earlier this Spring, and a PSA Mint 9 specimen realizing an incredible $522K. These pricing points substantiate the notion that a '49 Robinson Bowman rookie card truly stands as a bona fide testament to his unparalleled legacy, with this breathtaking PSA 8 NM-MT keepsake destined to be a centerpiece attraction in any world-class compilation!

MIN BID $12,500
_