11. Beautiful 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays (HOF) – PSA EX-MT 6
Called up on May 25, 1951, Willie Mays made a loud impression in the mi- nors that earned him a slot in the Bowman high numbers that year. It seems obvious now, as Mays earned Rookie of the Year honors, but his inaugural season with the Giants took some time to get him going, and the biography on the back of the card indicates it was prepared soon after his MLB debut. By season’s end, however, there were no doubters, and after losing a couple of seasons to military service, Mays returned with a breakout MVP season, batting an incredible .345 with 41 home runs and 110 RBI, launching a career that many consider the greatest of all time. It’s difficult to estimate what his numbers would’ve looked like had he not missed those two seasons, but he certainly would have challenged Babe Ruth’s home run record.
This example of his popular rookie card is colorful and well-registered, having survived nicely over the last 70+ years. The centering is as good as it gets on a card that typically suffers from centering issues, and it’s just a hint of wear on the corners that has led to the grade, along with a reverse that is largely clean. Eye appeal is off the charts here, an incredible specimen for the grade. A superb card that serves as a fine example of how Bowman cards can really pop when the stars align. MINIMUM BID: $10,000
12. 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson (HOF) – PSA VG-EX 4
Luminous, well-centered 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson, a standout portrait of the legendary Hall of Fame barrier-breaker, with perfect print registration and wonderful depth of color. Few iconic cards have grown in hobby significance like high-number Jackies, and almost no mid-grade versions pres- ent better than this eye-catcher! The PSA VG-EX 4 grade reflects a near-perfect image, deep primary hues, and balanced corner wear. Edges show bits of flaking consistent with its technical grade and detract little from its overall appeal. The reverse reflects on Jackie’s career achievements and shows a diagonal print smudge at lower left, perhaps from an unusual etch on the printing plate itself. One of the best examples in an accessible grade that you’ll find and visually stunning all around! MINIMUM BID: $4,000
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