1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA NM-MT 8

Sold For:

$264,000

Year:

1951

Auction:

2021 Fall

Lot #:

11

Category:

Featured

Graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. Extraordinary super-high-grade example of one of card collecting's greatest classics, and Willie Mays' first and true rookie card. The 1951 Bowman of Willie Mays has long been firmly established as one of the most famous and desirable of all baseball cards. In addition to being one of the two key cards of the 1951 Bowman set, Mays is also part of the scarce high-number series of the set (#253-324). This is a magnificent card. The offered example is crisp and clean, with four strong corners, exceptional printing registration, and centering very slightly to the left. The reverse is perfectly crisp and clean, without even the slightest trace of the gum or wax staining that so frequently affects 1951 Bowmans. No 1951 Bowman Mays has ever been graded GEM MINT 10 by PSA, and only eight examples have graded MINT 9. This is a world-class, high-grade example of Willie Mays' rookie card. Reserve $50,000.