1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie SGC MINT 96 - Highest Graded!

Sold For:

$108,000

Year:

1948

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

11

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

Graded MINT 96 by SGC. One of only two examples graded at this level by SGC, with none graded higher. Presented is an exceptional ultra high-grade example of this classic rookie card of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson. The 1948-1949 Leaf Bubble Gum card of Robinson is one of the most popular, striking, and classic of all Jackie Robinson cards. Leafs are often encountered with many condition problems (excessive toning, general wear from fragile paper stock, soft corners, centering issues, and print lines), and collectors also have to deal with the wildly varying degrees of print quality that characterize the set. It is easy to see why 1948-1949 Leafs are one of the most difficult of all issues to collect in high grade. The offered card is a great rarity in terms of condition and quality for any 1948-1949 Leaf, let alone Jackie Robinson, one of the key Hall of Famers in the set. The offered example has a perfectly crisp image with virtually flawless registration. Perfectly clean front and back, with four razor-sharp corners, and very well centered. The reverse is clean with bold black text centered to the right. This is an exceptionally attractive and striking ultra high-grade example of one of the icons of postwar Hall of Fame card collecting, and, in the eyes of many, Jackie Robinson's single most desirable baseball card. This classic card has always been a favorite with collectors and is rarely found in this extraordinary high grade. Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).