(LOT 159)
1956 Topps #33 Signed Roberto Clemente "White Back" - PSA AUTHENTIC AUTO
Total Autographed Pop: 10; Total "Unsigned" Pop: 4,756; Var.% (Signed vs. Unsigned Pop): 0.21%
Roberto Clemente played the game as well as any outfielder who ever graced a baseball field, with this five-tool Hall of Famer residing as one of our National Pastime's most iconic all-time superstars. His tragic death at 38 years old via a December 31, 1972 plane crash in a benevolent effort to deliver critical supplies to Nicaragua earthquake victims has left Clemente with a momentous legacy. For these reasons alone, his signed memorabilia is extremely desirable and scarce, especially when it comes to the scant number of scripted baseball cards that are few and far between. As the first lot of this extraordinary Roberto Clemente signed Topps cards collection, presented here is an autographed 1956 Topps #33 "white back" offering that has been boldly signed "Roberto Clemente" in fine blue ink directly to the left of his hallowed portrait pose. Its extreme rarity is substantiated by PSA's "Pop" Chart that lists only nine other scripted specimens versus the 4,700+ "Unsigned" "56 Topps Clemente's that have been reviewed by the renowned PSA card graders.

That equates to an autographed '56 Topps Clemente subject representing a measly 0.21% of the total "Unsigned" examples, further justification of the near-impossible task a collector must undertake to locate a scripted Clemente '56 Topps issue. The 1956 campaign would see the immortal Clemente post his first .300+ batting average, with his formidable .311 mark followed by 12 additional .300+ campaigns, four of which resulting in National League batting titles. Regarding the card's overall condition, the critical obverse side has retained a majority of its factory issued vibrant hues, and while no obtrusive surface flaws are evident, the image does exhibit some scattered "snow." Even corner wear, some border toning and a "May 25, 1963" ink notation situated near the verso's lower edge are the final noteworthy blemishes that do not impede the significant Roberto Clemente signature that presents itself in approximate "8 NM-MT" fashion. Considering prior prices realized for a signed 1955 Clemente rookie card range in the $75K - $125K (including a $76K sale in our prior auction for the inaugural 1955 Topps Clemente subject from this exact collection), we will let you ultimately decide what his scripted "second year" Topps card is truly worth.

MIN BID $2,500