(LOT 119)
1951 Mickey Mantle (w/Casey Stengel) One of a Kind UPI "Proof" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated ROOKIE Photo – Mantle Wears #7 for the First Time Ever (8/24/51) - Measures Approx. 7-1/8" x 9" (Includes PSA Type 1 LOA)
In the Spring of 1951, the Big Apple faithful basked in an unbridled excitement over the world-class prospect Mickey Charles Mantle, who made his MLB Yankee debut on April 17, 1951 wearing #6 on his Yankee pinstriped uniform. Playing in front of 44,860 patrons at Yankee Stadium, Mantle would earn his inaugural major league hit, while knocking in and scoring a run in the Yankees 5-0 win against their arch-rival Red Sox. This incredibly powerful switch-hitting centerfielder was the "talk of the town", and while he had to start his highly anticipated career in right field due to Joltin' Joe DiMaggio still patrolling centerfield, his supernatural-like ability placed him on the tip of every die-hard Yankee fans' tongues. Unfortunately for this rookie sensation, he eventually became marred in a horrible slump, striking out a prolific number of times that led legendary manager Casey Stengel to send him down to the Yankees AAA Kansas City squad on July 14th (after a dismal July 13th 1-5 performance in which he struck out another three times). As the story goes, his self-esteem totally shot, Mantle had gone through all he could handle and was ready to throw in the towel and call it quits.

At that juncture, his father Mutt Mantle came to get Mickey who was expecting dad to lovingly embrace and console him. Definitely not the case because Mutt called him a coward and was ready to drag him back to the Oklahoma coal mines. It was that sheer motivation that pushed Mantle forward, dry his eyes and pack his bags for Kansas City. Fortunately for our National Pastime, the rest of the story is history with Mickey burying his fears and literally "tearing up" AAA to the tune of a .361 batting average and 11 round-trippers. Carefully keeping an eye on this rising star and already having a soft-spot for the "Oklahoma Kid", HOF manager Casey Stengel pushed the Yankee front office to re-call Mantle on August 24th where he would not only start in right-field, but sport his NEW #7 uniform for the first time. Playing against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium, Mantle would go 1-4 in New York's 2-0 win against the Tribe. His inaugural #6 now a distant memory, "The Mick" was now ready to embark on one of the most extraordinary rides in MLB history as the Yankees #7 main cog, with his Goliath-like power and tape measure homers testing the furthest confines of any ballpark.

Mickey Mantle would wear #7 for the remainder of his career, donning his iconic #7 jersey though 12 A.L. Pennants, 7 World Series Titles, a record 18 World Series dingers and 536 lifetime homers. While the previous lot in this auction portrays arguably Mantle's most amazing #6 batting photo extant, this absolutely miraculous ACME Newspictures photo just happens to depict Mantle (w/manager Casey Stengel) on that monumental August 24th day when he was first re-called by the Yankees, wearing his iconic #7 jersey for the first time! Deemed a Type 1 original photo by the illustrious PSA Authentication Company, it has been PSA Encapsulated with the label including all pertinent information including "1951"; "Rookie Season", "ACME Newspictures" and the critical "Type 1" designation. A PSA LOA is also included with the significant "Comments" section clearly stating: "Rookie season. Mantle wears uniform #7 for the 1st time. One-of-a-Kind UPI "Proof" photo that made the ACME wire photos.

Original teletype is affixed on the bottom." It is that teletype/caption at the bottom of the photo that is ultra-momentous for it clearly states this photo represents Mickey Mantle's return from the minors wearing #7, reading as follows: "CL 51-8-24; CLEVELAND: Manager Casey Stengel ® welcomes Mickey Mantle (L) to his #7 Yankee uniform tonight (8/24) before the Indians-Yankee game at Cleveland Stadium, Mantle flew here from Oklahoma City where he was given 4-F draft classification yesterday (8/23)." Indeed, this remarkable day in Mantle's career reveals the "once in a lifetime" mighty slugger showcasing a beaming smile as he has returned to the "big show" for what he would little realize at the time for the next 18 years, finally retiring after the 1968 season. To his left is manager Casey Stengel who wound up being Mickey's "second father", especially in lieu of Mutt Mantle tragically passing away from Hodgkin's disease in 1952 at the tender age of 40. Stengel basically took Mantle "under his wing", guiding him throughout the 1950s with both individuals having a mutual respect and unwavering love for each other.

Although Mantle is facing the camera, he is irrefutably wearing his new #7 jersey for the first time, with no one at the time realizing this immortal #7 uniform would ultimately be retired by the Yankees forever upon Mantle's retirement. Measuring approximately 7-1/8" x 9", the image emulates the finest possible contrast and crystal- clear clarity, well positioned between three blinding white borders (the bottom border is covered by the aforementioned caption) and no evidence of any glaring surface flaws. Simply stated, both Mantle and Stengel literally jump off the photo, depicting nearly a 3-D like quality due to the unparalleled resolution that effectively "turns back the clock" to this historic moment. As PSA clearly states on the LOA, it is a UPI "Proof" photo that includes an N.E.A. Reference stamp on the verso. Interestingly enough, it is an ultra-rare occurrence when PSA states "ONE OF A KIND" on any LOA, clearly indicating that this extremely historic image resides as the one and only known Type 1 UPI Proof issue. A "perfect" compliment to the preceding Mantle #6 uniform photo lot, this unique and captivating offering conjures up vivid memories of the Commerce Comet's inaugural campaign; how he painstakingly persevered through hardship and failure with #7 eventually evolving into a Yankees superhero to forever stand alongside Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio!

MIN BID $2,500
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