This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/10/2017
Most expert collectors can easily rattle off the debut card of virtually any Hall of Famer, citing year, set, and often card number. But when it comes to Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio, one of the most beloved players in the history of the game, it gets a little more complicated. Some think it's the 1938 Goudey "Big Head" card (strike one) and more savvy collectors might confidently state it's his 1937 O-Pee-Chee issue (strike two). But if you said it's the colorized 1936 R312 premium, then .... have a seat, that's strike three! Nope, Joe DiMaggio was introduced to the world in the 1933-36 Zeenut series as a member of the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals. Playing in a semi-pro league at age 17, Joe joined the Seals for three games when his brother Vince convinced his manager to give Joe a look. The next season, Joe was signed and went on a 61-game hitting streak that lasted from May through July. In the last of his three seasons by the bay, "Joltin' Joe" batted .398 with 270 hits and 34 home runs, all but guaranteeing that the torch passed from Ruth to Gehrig would soon be placed in the hands of DiMaggio. Joe actually appears on two cards in the rare Zeenut series, one in a batting pose and this example in a throwing position, though Zeenut humorously misspelled his name as "DeMaggio" on both versions. What's incredible about this specimen is that it still has the coupon that came attached to the bottom of the card, one of only 4 ever graded by PSA. The corners show moderate wear but appear superior to the grade and the reverse is clean except for some light writing in pencil, accounting for the MK qualifier. A true centerpiece for any elite collection!
**ADDENDUM** The images and description for the offered card are incorrect in the catalog. The correct description and images are shown here. This is the throwing variation with coupon.