Signed 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA VG-EX 4 (MC) with GEM MINT 10 Signature

Sold For:

$28,800

Year:

1951

Auction:

2021 Fall

Lot #:

620

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays, signed by Mays in blue Sharpie across his image. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the card, grading the signature GEM MINT 10 and the card VG-EX 4 (MC). Willie Mays' 1951 Bowman card #305 is his first and true rookie card, and, as such, has 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). Despite its iconic status within the hobby, signed examples of Mays' Bowman rookie card are exceedingly rare. This is one of only 26 signed examples of this particular card listed in the PSA Population Report and just the third signed example we have ever offered. The card is centered to the extreme left border and slightly low. Despite the obvious flaw, the card is free of any creases and retains exceptionally strong eye appeal. Reserve $5,000.