Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
In 1948 the Leaf and Bowman Gum Companies included both baseball and football cards in their gum wax packs, with the football cards representing the first major gridiron issue nationally distributed since the 1935 National Chicle. Due to this 13 year gap, virtually all of the 98 subjects are classified as rookie cards with many advanced enthusiasts actively seeking high grade specimens for this landmark Leaf football issue. Offered here is the absolutely best 1948 Leaf Steve Van Buren “green jersey” copy, the ONLY PSA 8.5 Van Buren example with not a single other specimen graded higher. Furthermore, forget the “green or yellow” variations because this unparalleled offering is the single highest graded specimen for ALL of the 191 PSA encapsulated variations!
Hall of a Fame halfback Steve Van Buren was a first round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1944 NFL draft. Before his retirement after the 1951 season, he lead the league in rushing four times including a record three consecutive seasons ( 1947 – 1949) that has only been equaled by three running backs (Jim Brown, Earl Campbell and Emmitt Smith). Upon his retirement, he was the all-time leader in rushing yards (5860) and touchdowns (69), was voted #77 on the top 100 football players of all-time, and led the Eagles to their first two championships in 1948 and 1949.
Likewise, his representation on this pinnacle 1948 Leaf gem depicts the utmost aesthetic championship caliber as the immortal Eagles halfback portrays his classic running image in his green variation jersey. A solid blue background assists in projecting the image in “3-D” like fashion, with the entire picture well centered between four bright white orders. Immaculate edging and corner tips, bold jet black typography on the reverse side, and two unblemished surfaces complete this museum worthy marvel. Unfortunately for the elite PSA Set Registry collectors priding themselves on obtaining only the finest cards in existence, there is only ONE of these to choose from. With that in mind, we highly advise every elite collector to go the distance on capturing this unquestionable “best of the rest” world class masterpiece!
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