This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2019
A relatively unknown issue for decades, the 1960 "rookie card" of Cassius Clay is not found in packs of bubble gum or a supplemental promotional item offered with the purchase of a random product but actually originates from the Swedish Hemmets Journal with Swedish wording on the reverse of the card. Originally issued as part of a four-panel page, along with Wilma Rudolph, Swedish racewalker John Ljunggren and Danish soccer star Harald Nielsen, the page was intended to be put into a binder. The future Muhammad Ali is depicted as an Olympian in a journal intended to be viewed by attendees of the 1960 Olympics. Only 18-years old at the time, Clay would become the most significant figure to participate in the 1960 Rome event, long before his conversion to Islam and eventual participation in anti-war counterculture. Hand cut to virtual perfection, this debut card has received a grade of MINT 9 by PSA, one of just 6 to earn the elusive grade with one PSA 10 GEM MINT on record, which brought in a whopping $90,000 in July of 2018. Virtually perfect centering, razor-like MINT to GEM MINT corners and an amazing display of color and depth has this beauty looking virtually identical to that lone GEM MINT example but can likely be had for a significant discount, especially considering the PSA 10 example is likely to pull in six digits when it next goes on the auction block. This is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle of the boxing world and a world-class piece to add to any collection.