1952 Topps Willie Mays #261 SGC 7 NRMT

This 1952 Topps issue features a stunning portrait of Mays from his first MLB season. Topps designed the artwork based on a photo taken of Mays shortly after his rookie campaign in 1951, which celebrated his Rookie of the Year award. Locked into a battle with fellow manufacturer Bowman, Topps didn't have the license to produce a Mays card during the Giants legend's 1951 rookie season, making this issue his first Topps printing. By the time Mays hung up his cleats in 1973, he had amassed 660 home runs, 3,293 hits, a career .301 BA, four stolen base titles, four home run titles, 12 Gold Gloves, two MVP awards, and a World Series title in 1954. Mays would go on to feature in dozens of beloved Topps cards, but this treasure represents his first appearance in one of the company's releases. And, for many collectors, it remains his best. Only 12 of the 968 SGC-graded examples of this card have earned a higher grade than this SGC 7. Learn more about the Say Hey Kid in our Guide to Willie Mays Baseball Cards: https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/definitive-guides/a-guide-to-willie-mays-baseball-cards The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 07/03/2024.