Pull of a Lifetime: Lucky Collector Unearths Historic "Four Horsemen" Booklet Card

Admittedly, Boston-area collector Dave Damphousse was only stopping by Batter Up Sports Cards in Tewksbury, Mass., on Saturday afternoon to pick up a display case for the foul-tip souvenir his son nabbed at a Red Sox game a few weeks back.
“But I saw the box of 2011 National Treasures Football sitting there and couldn’t resist,” Damphousse wrote in an email to Panini America yesterday. “The owner of the store was just closing up so I opened the box in the parking lot. I could not believe my eyes.”

What Damphousse saw was nothing less than one of the most history-soaked football cards ever made, and arguably the most desirable single card produced for 2011 National Treasures Football: The vaunted “Four Horsemen” booklet card 1/1.
The unique collectible — not so much a card as it is the headlining piece of a museum exhibit — includes cut signatures from the fabled “Four Horsemen” of Notre Dame’s 1924 National Championship football team (Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley and Elmer Layden) and a sizable piece of fur coat worn by their legendary coach, Knute Rockne.
Damphousse’s first word? “Unbelievable! I wasn’t exactly sure what I had until I went home and did more research online,” he said. “At that point I was just in amazement. This is the best pull I have ever come across in my 25 years of collecting.”
Damphousse escorted the card back to Batter Up on Sunday to show it off. Next up, he’ll have it “properly appraised” before making perhaps the toughest decision of his collecting career.
“I’m not sure if I will hold on to it as the best pull ever in my collection or auction it off,” he said.
Most collectors will agree that it’s hard to go wrong either way and that a huge “Congratulations!” is in order for Damphousse. But in the spirit of community, we ask readers of The Knight’s Lance: What would you do with such a card? Let us know by participating in the following poll. After you have, feast your eyes on the comprehensive gallery of showcasing the greatest pull of Damphousse’s career.
First, the poll . . .
[polldaddy poll=6206177]
Now, the gallery . . .