Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
Only the renowned T206 and 1952 Topps sets can boast the superior collector desirability as Goudey’s landmark 1933 bubble gum issue. Little did Boston’s Goudey Gum Co. realize when it issued a 239 subject (240 subjects including the #109 subject Larry Lajoie released in 1934) baseball card set via bubble gum packs in 1933, some 77 years later it would still steal the hearts of thousands of Americans. As is the case with a majority of the 1930’s cardboard issues, one of the top players in the set is the immortal Lou Gehrig with the Goudey Company well aware of Gehrig’s baseball preeminence, issuing two different Gehrig subjects (#’s 92 & 160). With that in mind, presented here is Gehrig’s #92 subject in an absolutely spectacular SGC 92/8.5 holder. SGC lists only 3 others at this sanctified tier with a single copy graded higher. If that isn’t impressive, the combined PSA and SGC “pop” charts list approximately 1,100 total #92 Gehrig specimens, with a mere 4 copies (0.4%) existing at this tier and only 8 examples (0.7%) graded higher! Undoubtedly, both grading company’s population data are a testament to this offering being one of the supreme 1933 Lou Gehrig Goudey specimens on the planet!
A countless number of elite enthusiasts search for Lou Gehrig’s most eclectic cardboard mementos and why not? Above everything else, The “Iron Horse” was the supreme model of courage. Tragically, his incredible career was cut short by the deadly “ALS” disease (now more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) which took his life at the young age of 37. Yet, with all of his “on the field” slugging accomplishments, he will always be best remembered for his staggering 2,130 consecutive game streak. Furthermore, his incomparable farewell “Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth” speech will forever be our National Pastime’s Gettysburg Address. There are not a significant number of major card issues carrying Gehrig’s name, inexplicably omitted from the 1927 American Caramel, 1933 Sport Kings, various Goudey issues (1935 “4 in 1” and 1938 Goudey “Heads-Up” to mention a few), and the inaugural 1939 Play Ball set. Obviously, his tragic illness eliminated any opportunity to appear on the additional two Play Ball sets issued in 1940 and 1941. Luckily for collectors, his iconic image is found on various exhibit cards, a few smaller sized late 20’s candy/ice cream cards, the 1932 U.S. Caramel, 1933 DeLong, and 1933/34 Goudey’s with none of these more renowned than his classic 1933 Goudey lithographic image affixed to this miraculous offering.
Gehrig’s crystal clear batting stance pose presents itself in a pristine manner, ably assisted by one of the finest unimpeded powder blue backgrounds you will ever see. The obverse side magnificence is further enhanced by four of the finest perfectly centered blinding white borders you will ever see on any cardboard issue. Words cannot possibly measure the unparalleled standing of these supreme borders, ending at a razor sharp perimeter highlighted by four pin point corners. Simply turn the card over and continue to be dazzled by similar breathtaking aesthetics including vividly registered bold green typography and a bright white surface. Overall, this might be the finest eye pleasing 1933 Goudey Gehrig we have ever seen. True, a handful of examples have been graded higher, but none of them could possibly surpass the “World Class” aesthetics of this miraculous specimen. Forget the technical assessment already placing it as one of the elite graded cards. Simply absorb this gem’s supreme visual eminence, easily qualifying it as one of the “best of the rest” Gehrig cardboard mementos!
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