Nolan Ryan's 1968 Topps rookie card, which he shares with Jerry Koosman, seems to get all the love. But the first individual card of the flame throwing right hander from Texas is an underappreciated gem.
This fresh to the hobby signed card is a "Five Tool" player:
1) Ryan's first solo card
2) from the '69 "Amazin' Mets" World Series championship season
3) a high number card #533
4) vintage autograph, signed "at the time" in period ballpoint
5) a PSA/DNA 10 certified autograph
Provenance:
Our consignor Matt Bombeck collected sports autographs in the late 1960’s through the early 1970’s while living in the Dayton, Ohio area. Along with getting autographs at University of Dayton basketball games, Cincinnati Royals NBA games and Cincinnati Reds games, Matt was active mailing to players during these years, including their sports cards and index cards to be signed and returned in stamped self-addressed envelopes. While Matt quit collecting in the early 1970’s, he always kept his collection nearby, neatly preserved in sheets and binders, although sometimes packed away for long periods of time. Like many during the “shelter in place” periods of 2020, Matt rediscovered his collection, and ultimately decided it was time to give his autographed treasures a second life, so they are proudly presented here by SCP Auctions.