This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2021
Keeping with a tradition that began with their inaugural collection in 1948, the Bowman Company started off their 1951 series with a rookie card. But unlike Bob Elliott, Vern Bickford, and Mel Parnell, who manned the pole position in previous Bowman sets, the debut card of the 1951 set became a legendary superstar. Nope, it's not Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays, both of which were new to the cardboard collectible market, but fellow Hall of Famer Whitey Ford. "The Chairman of the Board" didn't even play in 1951, missing the entire year and the 1952 season due to military service, but his 9-1 record and 2.81 ERA in 1950 made him a worthy choice to be card #1 in the set. The featured card is a perfect example in which to start a world-class assemblage, displaying consistent NM/MT or better characteristics that more than compensate for the usual mild centering preference toward the lower right quadrant. The image quality is precise and both the front and back surfaces uphold PSA 8 standards with pride. An extremely difficult card at this grade level!