(LOT 52)
Magnificent 1956 Yellow Base-Path PM15 "Litho" Pinback Complete 32 Subject Set Including a PSA Gem Mint 10 Mickey Mantle!
One of the most popular of all 1950's pinbacks are the 32-subject 1956 Yellow Base-Path pins issued with a green background and small black & white portrait images. Obtained from bubble gum machines found in local "five & dime" stores and supermarkets, their immense condition sensitive stems from the fact that the lithographic images were NOT encased by a fine celluloid casing, with the images simply printed directly onto the metal surface with zero protection. Finding individual pins of these subjects is no easy task, substantiating why this incredible 32-pin complete set offering that includes a miraculous PSA Gem Mint 10 Mickey Mantle is one of the most amazing pin compilations in the hobby.

Indeed, PSA has currently encapsulated 36 Mantle's with this awe-inspiring "10" the only one of its kind! While the remaining 31 subjects are not graded, their outstanding aesthetics are conservatively consistent with "Near Mint" or better assessment. Of the total 32 subjects, 15 or nearly half the set represents Cooperstown inductees including Aaron, Aparicio Ashburn, Banks, Berra, Doby, Fox, Kaline, Mantle (PSA 10), Mathews, Musial, Reese, Roberts, Schoendienst, and Snider. Indeed, this sensational list of Hall of Famers is might impressive, yet it is the Mickey Mantle PSA Gem Mint 10 pin that steals the show. Adding to the charisma of this highly coveted pinback is that it was issued during "The Mick's" greatest season, with Mantle claiming the American League Triple Crown via his 52 home runs, 130 runs batted in and .353 batting average.

The Yankees would go on to capture the world championship that season, and likewise, this "1 of 1" championship caliber pin knows no peers. Virtually all of the pins exhibit super clean surfaces that include crystal black & white portrait images, radiant yellow base paths and rich green hued backgrounds. The circular rims/perimeters remain tightly enforced, and the pin clasps are completely intact. An ultra-rare complete set of this extremely obscure 1956 pin compilation, it proudly includes the SOLE PSA Gem Mint 10 Mickey Mantle subject that alone, places this as a world-class marvel!

MIN BID $2,500
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