(LOT 30)
1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA 7 NM
SAY HEY!!!...
The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays stands as his "true" rookie card, and along with the 1952 Topps Mays, are the undisputed highlights of any Say Hey Kid collection! The Bowman Gum Company released its inaugural 1948 set, including baseball cards with a stick of bubble gum within their wax packs. Bowman continued producing sets through 1955, eventually being bought out by the Topps Baseball Gum Co. In 1951, rookies Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays set in motion what would be an incredible joyride in the New York area along with the Dodgers' Duke Snider as all three New York based teams rostered a Hall of Fame center fielder. While Mantle's power stood out, Mays was unquestionably the better five-tool player of the three with power of his own, retiring with 124 more dingers than Mantle and 253 more than Snider. He is still considered the greatest all-around player in baseball history. Mays could hit for average and power, run the bases, throw and play center field better than anyone who ever played the game. Offered here is one of the finest 1951 Bowman Mays rookie cards holdered 7 NM from PSA. Retaining so many of its original factory-issued attributes, this issue deserves special attention as high-grade Mays rookies are hard to come by. This high-grade Bowman rookie card features a brilliant lithographic image of Mays, pinpoint corners, a razor-sharp perimeter, pristine surfaces, bold print and dazzling white borders, all combining to justify this incredible high-grade. Most significant is the near-spot-on centering unlike the many Mays examples offering skewed illustrations. Both surfaces are nearly flawless on this extraordinary keepsake destined for a world-class ‘51 Bowman rookie card collection!

MIN BID $10,000
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