1952 Topps Andy Pafko

1952 Topps Andy Pafko: Why, oh why, is a career .285 hitter considered "significant?" Well, Andy Pafko holds the distinction of being the very first card in what is considered to be the first "real" baseball card set of the post-WWII era, 1952 Topps.

Big deal, right? Keep in mind that this was 1952. It would be at least a quarter century before baseball cards would be looked upon as "collectibles" with investment value. Therefore, it was not uncommon for the collectors of the era, (read: kids), to store their baseball cards in rubber band bounded stacks. As the top card of such stacks, Pafko's card tended to receive a bit more abuse than others. The rubber bands had the tendency to "dig" into the sides of the card, creating a "notch." Needless to say, there aren't that many Pafko's in excellent condition much less in mint condition. So yeah, it is a big deal.

In 1999 a '52 Topps Pafko, pulled fresh from a near half-century old pack and graded Mint "9" by PSA, sold for $83,870 at auction. Not bad for a career .285 hitter.