Long underappreciated, the beautiful photography clean images and outstanding player selection of early Exhibit sets have recently captured the attention of hobbyists, with no card generating more interest than the 1925 rookie card of Yankee Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. Once obtainable for a few thousand dollars, the last several years have seen unbelievable price appreciation. In 2017, a qualified PSA 6 broke $100,000 for the first time. Just four years later, that same qualified PSA 6 reached $800,000, with an EX example eclipsing at $1,000,000 in 2021. This growth is with good reason: Lou Gehrig is one of the most popular players ever to play and certainly is one of the greatest of all-time. His legend has only increased over the years, and values of Gehrig memorabilia in general has begun to take its rightful place among the most valuable of all baseball collectibles.

The idea of an "affordable" Gehrig rookie is, in light of these astronomical prices, relative. However, this example is as close as you might get. The card, along with others featured in this auction, was inherited by a noncollector, each example glued securely into a scrapbook. The owner took the liberty of soaking and removing the cards, and discovered with disappointment that the cards were, essentially, skinned: Exhibit cards are produced on heavy cardboard, and the cardboard simply separated from the card fronts. The result is an authentic - but unfortunately ungradable - Gehrig rookie. We submitted the card to both PSA and SGC, and sadly neither company would even encapsulate the card in an AUTHENTIC holder. After consulting with the consignor, we have elected to offer it here, ungraded (the other cards from this find are featured elsewhere in the auction, all in similar condition). 

At first glance the card appears to be a clean, but worn, example, perhaps GOOD or GOOD+ condition. An examination of the verso reveals that the backing has largely been stripped away, leaving the front of the card only. As a result, the card is considerably thinner and more delicate than a typical Exhibit - storing it outside a Card Saver or similar accessory will undoubtedly cause the card to curl on its own in time. It is extremely delicate and susceptible to damage. Though the card is unquestionably authentic, the winning bidder will only be receiving the front of the card. It is important to note here that grading companies will not encapsulate this card. We are being clear that this card will not grade, it is missing the entire backing of the card, and in some areas is skinned right to the thinnest front layer of paper. As such we are offering this one "as is," with no returns permitted. 

Despite the obvious flaws, a Gehrig rookie in any grade has taking its rightful place among the hobby's most sought-after cards. For an Exhibit or Gehrig collector on a budget looking for a way to obtain an example, this may fit the bill.