(LOT 81)
1953 Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle PSA 2.5 GOOD+
RARE MICK!!! Early 1950's Mickey Mantle cards may be the hottest cardboard commodity in our illustrious hobby. With that said, one of the rarest 1950's baseball card issues is the 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks subjects distributed in packages of hot dogs by a New York based meat company. Three players from each of the New York based teams were included in the set, and is the case with almost all post WWII cardboard issues, the most popular and valuable of the nine subjects is the iconic Mickey Mantle, presented here in a spectacular PSA 2.5 holder, that is a POP 1 card. Incredibly, only a 5 other PSA specimen exists graded higher; a true testament to the ultra-condition sensitivity of the Stahl-Meyer Mantle subject! We cannot overemphasize the exceptional value and obscurity of this seldom seen card that realizes price tags generally exceeding most other Mantle cards with the exception of his 1952 Topps rookie (yes, on an even grade basis, the Stahl-Meyer Mantle typically surpasses his 1951 Bowman rookie!).

The significance of Mickey Mantle baseball cards to the post WWII hobby collecting circuit is equivocal to the status of Wagner, Ruth, Jackson and Cobb artifacts to the pre-WWI vintage market. Any cardboard gem of the great Yankee centerfielder is typically held in the highest esteem. Mantle personified the acceleration of the cardboard industry in the 1980's, and ever since, every cardboard representation of him is taken very seriously. Such is the case for this ultra scarce PSA 2.5 Stahl Meyer offering that depicts an outstanding "good-natured/half grin" portrait image of the immortal Yankee's centerfielder; portraying overall eye appeal far beyond the extremely strict technical assessment. Nearly pristine contrast and crystal clear clarity accompany the photo that is centered between four moderately toned borders. The reverse side Mantle statistical information and ticket offer promotion is all portrayed in fine red and blue typography, and no major creasing is evident, the final exclamation points for a card that unquestionably resides as one of the finest looking mantle Stahl-Meyer gems you will ever encounter!

MIN BID $3,000
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