This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2010
Very proudly offered is the very first and still only example of Nolan Ryan's extraordinarily rare 1968 Topps Venezuelan rookie issue to be graded by SGC. Easily one of the single most presentable examples of the scant dozen or so copies known to exist, the presented scarcity showcases near perfect centering and absolutely no creasing whatsoever, both anomalies for this South American gem, which appears rather out-of-place in a mere SGC 40 VG 3 holder from the Parsippany-based grading authority. The front shows the usual lusterless countenance of the cheap, non-gloss, south-of-the-border cardboard production but still appears far in excess of the professionally opined evaluation. Uncommonly sharp NM corners join even more impressive NM/MT edges on the front, while some scattered but tolerable print combine with a very small area of glue, about an eighth of an inch in diameter, just left of Koosman's temple, and an even fainter area of discoloration--perhaps a stain; it's so faint, it's hard to tell--just beneath the word "ROOKIE," to provide technical if not over-harsh validity to the grade. The reverse appears relatively well-centered and shows some minor but tolerable scuffing scattered throughout and some hardly perceptible traces of glue, concentrated along the top and upper right borders. Some wear along the left edge and lower left corner no doubt contributes to the seemingly harsh assessment, but not to the extent of VG, at least not in our opinion. Graded VG 3 by SGC but presenting much closer to the EX/MT level, with no competition, indeed no other copies on record at all, at SGC, with just 8 total examples on record at PSA, none in the offered grade, just 1 at the VG/EX 4 level and 3 at the EX 5 tier, and that's it; none have ever surfaced in EX/MT or better condition! Exactly how rare is this issue? Well, from the combined population reports of both PSA and SGA, only one card, Mickey Mantle, has ever surfaced in double-digit quantity. And, just like the offered Ryan, of those scant 11 known Mantles, none have ever graded higher than EX. Rarely offered in any condition and very sincerely recommended. Hecho en Venezuela! Translation: virtually impossible!