This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/19/2016
For decades, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card stood alone as the single most iconic mainstream pasteboard of the post-war era, surpassed only by the limited-quantity, enigmatic T206 Honus Wagner card as the most coveted specimen produced in any time period. But the recent explosion of prices for Hall of Famer rookie cards has changed the landscape of the hobby, propelling MINT and GEM MINT examples of Mantle's '52 Topps card past that of the T206 Wagner as the most valuable card ever produced while lifting other important issues with it, most notably the 1954 Topps Hank Aaron and 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie cards. While Roberto Clemente was not the offensive juggernaut of an Aaron or Mantle, his popularity on the field as well as his generous humanitarian efforts off the field made him a cult of personality every bit as grand. Clemente was not just a baseball player to his native Puerto Ricans; he a symbol of hope and optimism, and he was more than happy to carry that burden upon his broad shoulders, his countrymen chanting "Arriba, Arriba" as he dug in at the plate for every at-bat. Like Sandy Koufax, who also made his debut in the 1955 Topps series, Clemente's legacy as a great player took time to cultivate. It wasn't until Clemente's 7th season that he was brought to the forefront of baseball greatness, batting .351 and capturing the first of his four career National League batting titles. From that season until his tragic death in 1972, Clemente batted .331 with his average dipping below .300 just once. He also increased his power numbers during that span, going from an average of 7 homers and 55 RBI over his first 6 years to 16 homers and 81 RBI over his final 12 campaigns. Presented is a PSA 8 example of Roberto Clemente's rookie card, an issue that has been setting world records for price realized with virtually every new offering. Upon initial inspection, the most noticeable characteristic 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.