This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/7/2009
Graded MINT 96 (9) by SGC. Of the 125 copies of this cared that have been assessed by SGC, the offered example boasts as being 1 of just 2 copies that has been graded MINT 9 with none graded higher! In 1941, after leaving UCLA, Jackie played semi-professional football for the Honolulu Bears as well as the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the the Pacific Coast Football League. The December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor ushered Jackie from football into the military and, albeit a couple of years later, effectively opened the door to his baseball career. In 1945 Jackie played for the Kansas City Monarchs were he registered a .387 batting average as well as five home runs and 13 stolen bases in 47 games played. Later that year Branch Rickey signed Jackie to play Major League baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the assigned him to their Montreal farm club for the 1946 season where he became the first black to play in the Major Leagues in over sixty years. Offered is the rookie card of the man that did in fact break the color line in baseball as well as break down many of the racial prejudices in America. Precisely centered with pure white borders that extend to four pristine corners that come to exact points without even a single thought of wear intruding upon the perfect points. A bright canary yellow background surrounds the exceptionally well-focused image of the great Hall Of Famer. A stunning royal blue Dodger cap rests atop the head of Jackie with accurate shading of the facial flesh tones. The nameplate at the bottom of the card displays a wonderfully dark print free appearance without the distracting printer's bubbles that so often plague this card. The surface is replete with a sultry smooth appearance without any pitting or notching. The reverse is perfectly struck with a bold black text set against a supple gray stock with nary a stain or blemish apparent. Without hesitation the offered example is the finest copy we have ever had the pleasure of offering and may well be the finest example extant. Presented in defining and respect-commanding MINT condition.