1968 Topps Venezuelan #177 Nolan Ryan Rookie PSA FAIR 1.5

Sold For:

$13,200

Year:

1968

Auction:

2023 Fall

Lot #:

2132

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1960s Cards

Graded FAIR 1.5 by PSA. Attractive example of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's rookie card, the key card to the 1968 Topps Venezuelan set. The Topps Venezuelan issues are among the most fascinating sets of the 1960s. The first 370 cards of Topps’ 1968 baseball set were reprinted on a non-glossy cardboard stock for sale exclusively in the Venezuelan market. The fronts are identical in design to the regular-issue Topps’ cards, but the backs are darker than normal and the credit line “Hecho En Venezuela - C. A. Litoven" is printed along the bottom edge. Despite its modest assigned grade, the offered card is far above average for this unusual issue. It presents exceptionally well from the front, with only a few light, unobtrusive creases visible under inspection. The reverse, which is so often plagued by paper loss because these cards were intended to be glued into an album, is fully intact with glue residue visible but minimized compared to many others we have seen. Though they receive little attention because they are virtually never found in high grade, Topps Venezuelan cards are among the most unusual and rare baseball-card sets of the decade. This is a beautiful Venezuelan example of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's iconic rookie card. Opening Bid $1,000.