(LOT 227)
1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie Card SGC 9 MINT - "POP 3"; Highest Graded Example on the COMBINED SGC & PSA "Pop" Charts!
No one would argue that one of the most prestigious post-WWII rookie cards is the renowned 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford inaugural subject, presented here in a breathtaking SGC 9 MINT holder. Of the approximate 2,200+ graded examples on the combined SGC and PSA census reports, not a single "10 GEM MINT" specimen exists, with a mere three SGC 9s standing at the summit of the SGC "Pop" Chart! The fact that it resides as the #1 subject of the renowned 1951 Bowman set substantiates why not a sole PSA or SGC "10" exists, with a majority of these #1 subjects negatively impacted by being placed at the top of many '51 Bowman baseball card stacks, thus susceptible to general wear such as rubber band marks, sunlight, staining, etc. Synonymous with Ford being chosen by the renowned Bowman Gum Company as the #1 subject in this prestigious post-WWII set are Ford's world-class accomplishments that earned him a permanent home in Cooperstown, New York. Dubbed the "Chairman of the Board", the Hall of Fame southpaw tallied lifetime figures of 236 victories, a scintillating 2.75 E.R.A. and an incredible .690 winning percentage, the latter being a modern-day record for 200+ game winners.

Ford's exploits weren't restricted to the regular season for it was his World Series efforts that gained him the most popularity; claiming a record ten World Series victories and 33 consecutive scoreless innings! It was that amazing scoreless streak that broke none other than Babe Ruth's all-time mark, and it isn't every day that a ballplayer can boast a feat that erased a legendary "Bambino" record. Similar to his "top of the charts" record streak is this truly breathtaking SGC 9 MINT marvel depicting a pack fresh Ford lithographic image boasting crystal clear clarity and un-improvable resolution. Ford's boyish smile virtually reflects a 3D quality, with the atypical near-perfect entering only revealing a microscopic partiality towards the upper edge. Blinding white borders, sharp right-angled corners, fine edging, glistening surfaces and not a trace of any flipside gum stain complete what is arguably the finest aesthetically pleasing Whitey Ford rookie card extant. One of only three SGC 9s with none graded higher on ANY population report. This miraculous offering arguably resides as the closest possible example meriting a "10" assessment!

MIN BID $15,000