Lot # 29: 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA VG-EX 4

Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. A focused Willie Mays concentrates his offensive efforts against a makeshift batting cage on this clean 1951 Bowman #305 rookie card. This horizontal high number is crease-free with only mild corner wear and slightly distinguishable print lines. The colors on the New York Giants Hall of Famer's batting stance are intense and the overall appearance of the front is fresh and appealing. The reverse, which details Mays' prospect statu,s displays only a hint of reverse wax staining common to having been pulled from a penny back. A "new to hobby" example that has been held by our consignor's family since the product's release almost 75 years ago.

From our consignor: "This set is original to the 13-year-old boy who collected and traded with friends for a penny growing up in New Jersey while shooting marbles, fishing and listening to Yankee games on the family radio. Prior to this sale, it has never seen the market or left our family homes. Rich with his love of the game, our father died an Orioles fan in early 2025 at 87 years of age. He would keep these cards secured away but would always bring them out to show other baseball fans and share stories of his youth. It is his family’s hope that the new owner of these cards appreciates them with as much love as he did growing up in South River, NJ with two immigrant parents (Italian & Lithuanian) surrounded by a large family and a lot of great Italian food to go around."