This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/6/2016
Those who have been actively following the vintage baseball card hobby should be well aware of the recent explosion in popularity when it comes to rookie cards of Hall of Famers. Interest and demand have never been higher, and with the market continually evolving and maturing, this phenomenon shows no signs of decreasing anytime soon. With that in mind, one of the cards spearheading this trend is undoubtedly that of the beloved immortal hero, Roberto Clemente. With collectors literally clamoring for high-grade examples, demand for his 1955 Topps card has surpassed that of fellow Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, who's pasteboard debut came in the same issue. The offered example has been graded NM/MT 8 by PSA, placing it within the top 3% of all Clemente rookies sent through the Newport Beach grading room. Most noticeable upon initial inspection is the vibrancy of the colors, which remain as bold and fresh as the day they left the Topps factory. The portrait image of the tragic hero, forever the last name on the list of 3,000 hit club members, presents with striking clarity and detail, and the full-body effigy to the right is equally precise. Borders are clean and free of stray print markings, corners easily fall within the standards for the opined grade, and a light factory rough cut adorns the horizontal right edge. The reverse is just as compelling, well-struck in red and green pigments with no stains or blemishes. A truly stunning example the likes of which we have seldom encountered, offered in enticing NM/MT condition.