This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/16/2015
As many advanced collectors are well aware, it isn't always the legendary superstars that are the most difficult and priciest specimens to track down. When we displayed all of the incredible items for this auction at the National, the featured item was the one that received the most interest from potential bidders. That's because the T205 Richard Hoblitzell "no stats" variation is so difficult to track down, in any grade, that it's often the final card needed to finish off a master set. In fact, three different collectors at the show told us that they were within a few cards of completion and still needed this one, offering up a story of how they came across one at a show or in an auction, only to have it slip through their fingers. Well, here's another shot to finally take down this wild beast! This example’s overall aesthetics are outstanding, truly worthy of the assessment that places it at the top of the charts, the one and only specimen graded SGC 80 EX/NM 6 with none graded higher. Hoblitzell’s lithographic image presents a splendid array of blue and facial colored hues that are delivered in detailed contrast and clarity. Highlighting the illustration is a spectacularly clean mustard yellow background with the entire image typically centered toward the right side. The gold border, usually the main culprit that relegates most T205 cards to the lower grades due to excessive chipping, stands out as the card's strongest characteristic with only some diminutive surface wear situated near the four corner tips. The corners have primarily retained their original right angle shape and appear above-grade while the Hassan Cigarette ad and brief Hoblitzell “bio” on the reverse exhibit extremely minimal surface wear. This is a golden opportunity to acquire one of the finest specimens of this ultra-rare issue for your prized collection. Otherwise, you might be the next collector sharing a story of the Hoblitzell "no stats" that you almost got.