Lot # 2849: 1965 Topps Football #122 Joe Namath Rookie PSA NM 7 - "Butterfly" Variation

Graded NM 7 by PSA. Superb example of one of football-card collecting's great classics, the rookie card of "Broadway" Joe Namath from the very popular and condition-sensitive 1965 Topps "Tall Boys" football series. The offered example has bright colors and a crisp image, including the noted "butterfly" phenomenon on Namath's front hand, which is a small black printing mark found on few examples of this card. This variation is very infrequently encountered. The 2003 edition of the Standard Catalog of Football Cards specifically notes that "it's uncertain how many . . . [of] this variation exists." The card has strong corners and a clean reverse. It should be noted for accuracy that upon close inspection, there are tiny surface flaws visible on Namath's hair and jersey, as well as on the black bar along the base. This is a beautiful example of Joe Namath's rookie card, which is the key card from the set and one of the all-time classic football cards.