Love of the Game Auctions Spring, 2024 Premier Auction

72. 1947 Bond Bread Exhibits Jackie Robinson (HOF RC) - PSA GOOD 2

74. 1948 Swell Sport Thrills #3 Jackie Robinson (HOF RC) - PSA VG-EX 4

Believed to have been distributed in penny arcade dispensing machines, the Bond Bread “Exhibits” issue closely follows the smaller-sized 1947 Bond Bread issue, with more than 75% of the cards appearing in both the larger and smaller formats and just one card - that of Walker Cooper - included in the larger issue not included in the small format. Of course, the key to any late-1940s issue would be the card of Jackie Robinson,as any of a number of Robinson issues could lay claim to being a “rookie” card.

Produced by the Philadelphia Gum Company (the same company that produced the Philadelphia football card sets of the 1960s), the Swell Bubble Gum “Sport Thrills” series was a 20-card set that featured a black-and-whiteo photograph depicting a great moment in baseball history, with the story of the event explained on the back. Featuring memorable events throughout baseball history up until the immediate postwar era, few “sport thrills” are more important than the debut of Jackie Robinson, depicted here just

The Bond Bread Exhibits issue is particularly elusive, and given that PSA has stopped grading them due to a preponderance of forgeries, encountering an authentic example in a PSA holder is a rare occurrence (just five have been graded by PSA). Recently reviewed and reholdered, the card has been graded GOOD 2, due primarily to surface and edge wear, age-related toning and some faint indentations on the reverse. Visual appeal, however, is far superior to the assigned grade.

one year after its occurrence. Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA, the card is sharp for the grade, and even well-centered for the issue (the set is absolutely plagued with centering problems to the point of miscues). A tremendous card, which has rapidly escalated in value as Robinson has become more important in the hobby, a Jackie Robinson rookie card that heralds his own debut just one season prior.

MINIMUM BID: $1,500

MINIMUM BID: $500

75. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron (HOF) - BVG EX 5

73. 1953 Bowman Color #59 Mickey Mantle (HOF) - SGC EX 5

Extremely well-centered specimen of Hank Aaron’s highly-prized rookie card. Some light wear is evident at the corners, the primary flaw relating to some mild surface wear visible along the right side of the card, likely related to the printing process as the set is plagued with roller lines and other quality control issues. For an issue notorious for centering problems, this example is remarkable, one of the finer examples we have handled. MINIMUM BID: $1,500

Classic card of the Yankees legend from the landmark 1953 BowmanColor set. A pure card from early in Mickey’s Hall of Fame career, thisexample achieves an SGC EX 5 in grade. Soft corners and imperfect edges are common, and even though this card is not perfectly centered, the beautiful, realistic colors make up for any flaws. From Mickey’s eyes and the gradient of the sky in the background, to the light and shadows on his iconic pinstriped uniform, the colors of this image

show off why the set is so beloved bycollectors. The reverse has also survived in fine form and this fabulouscard will no doubt be finding a happy, new home.

MINIMUM BID: $750

SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024 39

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