This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2021
In an effort to ensure that their inaugural baseball card issue was a success, the Leaf Company included such retired legends as Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner with the current players in the 1948 set, but in retrospect, it was unnecessary. A bumper crop of rookie cards has made the series one of the most collectible sets ever made, and the card of Jackie Robinson ranks as one of the most respected by hobbyists in the industry's 150+ year history. The 1947 Rookie of the Year, Robinson lead the league in stolen bases while facing constant harassment and threats as the first black player to wear a major league uniform. Dodgers owner Branch Rickey hand-selected Robinson to be the pioneer that would break the long-standing color barrier, citing his college education, exceptional athleticism, and miliary background as important traits that would help him cope with the societal backlash he would inevitably encounter. It certainly didn't hurt Rickey's cause that Robinson batted a robust .349 with 40 stolen bases in his only minor league season with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' AAA affiliate. The featured card is a true rarity, a PSA 5 graded Jackie Robinson rookie card that has retained virtually all of its glowing yellow backdrop and bright white border coloring, comparing favorably with examples that touch the NM and even NM/MT range. Centered far more accurately than most cards from this series, the endpoints boast solid above-grade characteristics all around with barely a hint of the errant print dust that so thoroughly invades the glowing yellow backdrop on most examples. The well-printed reverse only serves to confirm that the card was tragically shortchanged in grade, easily surpassing all expectations. A true masterpiece that provides heart and soul for any mid to upper-grade collection.