(LOT 387)
1948 Bowman #69 George Mikan Rookie PSA 8 NM-MT
MIKAN ROOKIE!!! The unquestionable "Holy Grail" of all basketball cards is the hallowed 1948 Bowman #69 George Mikan rookie card, and presented here is a breathtaking PSA 8 example with only 5 PSA specimens besting this extraordinary keepsake! Similar to babe Ruth's stature as a baseball icon, professional Basketball's true Hall of Fame pioneer is none other than the immortal George Mikan for no other player contributed a more significant role to basketball's ultimate development than this magnificent center.

Mikan scored 11,764 career points, an average of 22.6 per game, retired as the all-time leading scorer, averaged 13.4 rebounds and compiled 2.8 assists in 520 NBL, BAA and NBA games. Adding to his impeccable resume was seven BAA and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, three scoring titles and being member of the first four NBA All-Star and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. For all these reasons, he was voted the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press, and was selected as one of the NBA 50 Greatest Players in 1996. No wonder collectors seek his most valuable cards, yet unfortunately, there are only a handful of mainstream George Mikan issues to choose from including his 1948 Bowman Rookie Card, several early 1950's Wheaties issues, Kellogg's Pep and some late 1940's Exhibits.

Serious enthusiasts truly point to only one of those aforementioned issues, his highly coveted 1948 Bowman rookie card that stands alongside other sports cardboard icons such as baseball's T206 Wagner, football's National Chicle Bronko Nagurski, and hockey's Bobby Orr rookie, just to mention a few. Regarding aesthetics, the classic Mikan deep blue background subject depicts the finest possible clarity and contrast, with the immortal image somewhat favoring the upper right edges. Bright white borders, pinpoint corners, sharp edging, and no glaring surface blemishes more than justify the remarkable assessment. The final explanation point is the pack-fresh verso, with this amazing offering destined to find a final resting place in one of the foremost basketball cardboard gatherings. No world-class basketball card gathering could possibly be considered complete without a George Mikan 1948 Bowman subject, and this "spine-tingling" offering suffices as the perfect candidate to fill that void in your esteemed collection!
MIN BID $25,000
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