This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2010
The key card of the venerable 1933 Goudey set, #106 featuring Napoleon Lajoie is steeped in hobby lore. At the time of its issue Lajoie was 30 years removed from his Hall of Fame playing career. Actually printed in 1934 (featuring a 1934 Goudey design on its front but without the "Lou Gehrig says..." or "Chuck Klein says..." panel added) it was only available through a mail-in promotion for those wanting to complete their sets. As a result the scarcity and subsequent value of the Lajoie card is such that many collectors of the 1933 Goudey set will consider it complete without card #106. This dead centered example features brilliant original color. Lajoie’s portrait image appears in perfect registration, surrounded by clean white borders that culminate at four razor sharp corners. The back is clean and exhibits the same off white stock common to the 1934 Goudey last series. Considering this cards remarkable attributes and the fact that it is one of only nine examples graded MINT 9 by PSA, it is quite likely that this is finest example known.