This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2020
Featured is a highly desirable 1963 Pete Rose Rookie graded Mint 9 by PSA. Of the nearly 5,000 copies that have been examined and authenticated by PSA, only one single example has achieved a higher grade. Rose’s first card is one of the toughest high numbers and pictures a smiling headshot of one of the most successful players in the history of the sport accompanied by three other rookies who Topps had envisioned would become some of the games’ future stars. Rose’s single-track mind was focused on winning at all costs and his freshman campaign was punctuated by 170 hits, leading off his quest to become a sports immortal.
No other rookie card of the 1960’s embodies the historical significance that the #537 from the 1963 issue has earned. This example encompasses the importance of gloss and color that collectors are after and both are unparalleled by any other examples we have seen in recent years. The card features vibrant red circles from which the players portraits lay atop. A young Pete Rose appears happy with a slight smile on his face while the others on the card seem much less enthusiastic. The intensity of the yellow and blue colors gives an astounding contrast and highlight the snow-white borders. The edges and corners are flawless, and the card just misses out on GEM MINT status with the slightly less than perfect centering left to right. The reverse is immaculate and overall, this impeccably well preserved edition is an absolute masterpiece.