(LOT 3)

"Rare for the Grade" 1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle (PSA Mint 9) - Only 2 Graded Higher!

Extremely rare for the grade, this seldom surfacing 1952 Bowman PSA Mint 9 Mickey Mantle gem stands as one of the most miraculous Mantle issues on the planet. Incredibly only 0.5% of the nearly 2,300 PSA encapsulated examples have achieved the hollowed Mint 9 assessment, with a microscopic-like 2 specimens graded higher! Indeed, this near-impossible offering has somehow managed to defy "father time", retaining virtually all of its original factory issues attributes over a 63-year period. Synonymous with this card's breathtaking aesthetics and time defying condition is the unbridled legacy of Mickey Charles Mantle. The "Commerce Comet" as so many avid fans dubbed him, captured the hearts of millions of Americans via his colossal tape measure home runs. 

It is nearly inconceivable to think that no baseball player before and after hit a baseball further and with more consistence than "The Mick", especially in lieu of our National Pastime's current steroid ridden environment. Mantle achieved his mighty power via his sheer natural existence, with no weight lifting or performance enhancing drugs assisting him in any way, shape or form. It is with no coincidence that the pricing points for his early 1950's baseball card issues have suddenly taken off like an ICBM missile, triggered by the incomparable rise of his "Holy Grail" 1952 Topps high-numbered subject. Since this sudden pricing uptick, we have seen many high-grade '51 Bowman and '52 Topps Mantle surface; however, it is been quite some time since the last "2nd year" 1952 Bowman Mantle issue has surfaced in "Mint 9" condition. 

Simply stated, we cannot imagine any of the 2 "Gem Mint 10" examples possibly besting the immaculate aesthetics of this world-class masterpiece. The sparkling lithographic image emanates rich blue and facial hues, with the iconic image partly favoring the upper left edges between four absolutely blinding white borders. The razor sharp perimeter includes four pinpoint corner tips, the gleaming surfaces reveal no blemishes whatsoever, and the verso is super clean. While it certainly is a viable accusation... NO... we did not just pull this card from an unopened wax pack, but we can certainly understand the potential allegation! Somehow this card has remained remarkably pristine, easily meriting its current "Mint 9" assessment and residing as one of the finest preserved Mickey Mantle cards on the planet!