2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
Graded EX-MT 6 by PSA with Autograph assessed "Authentic" by PSA/DNA. A strong, black ink signature of U.S. President George H.W. Bush graces the card's obverse. This item – featuring a depiction of President Bush in uniform for his Yale college team, circa 1947-48 – is one of just fourteen examples authenticated by PSA, and one of only two copies exhibiting the certified signature of the Chief Executive pictured. The offered card is one of the most significant modern baseball cards ever produced by Topps. Special cards honoring the first president Bush are rare, desirable pieces, but this "White House Issue" is virtually never encountered.
PSA President Joe Orlando, in an extensively researched 2013 article about the 1990 Topps George Bush cards, described the distinctions between the specially coated White House Issue, as offered here, and the conventional 1990 Topps Bush collectible. As Orlando explained, this is one of the much more rare, "glossy coated" versions intended exclusively for the White House and limited to just 100 copies made; this particular copy is one of only two signed by President Bush and authenticated by PSA/DNA. Among the few equivalent but ungraded, signed cards of this type are examples owned by Bush-era White House Chief of Staff John Sununu and former Topps CEO Arthur Shorin. Minimally Excellent to Mint condition.