(LOT 491)
"Unique for the Grade" 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle (PSA Near Mint 7) – "POP 1" w/only a SOLE Example Graded Higher for ALL Stahl-Meyer Subjects Issued from 1953 – '55!
This "miraculous" PSA Near Mint 7 1953 Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle resides as one of the most amazing Mantle cards on the planet. Its unique "NM 7" technical assessment stands as a near-impossible achievement, proudly standing tall as the SOLE Mantle "NM 7" 1953 Stahl-Meyer PSA example, with only a single PSA 9 Mantle specimen graded higher for ALL 3 Stahl-Meyer issues (1953; '54; '55)! Due to their extreme condition sensitivity, high grade Stahl-Meyer Franks subjects virtually never surface, with these ultra-scarce 1950's baseball cards distributed in packages of hot dogs by a New York based meat-company from 1953 thru 1955. The 1953 set included 9 subjects and it comes as no secret that Mickey Charles Mantle is the most coveted subject in this extremely obscure issue.

As previously stated, due to their package methodology, Stahl-Meyer subjects are ultra-condition sensitive, with most surviving examples exhibiting low technical assessments, justified by roughly 80% of the total 215+ PSA encapsulated 1953 specimens reflecting VG or less assessments. No wonder we are still "scratching our heads" at the mere thought of a Stahl-Meyer subject retaining virtually all of its original factory-issued attributes. Inconceivable to say the least, its impeccable survival with no glaring surface flaws, razor sharp perimeters, and minimal staining is synonymous to "finding a needle in a haystack". Any cardboard gem of the great Yankee centerfielder is typically held in the highest esteem, let alone this "POP 1" offering. The classic Mantle portrait image (also utilized on his Dan-Dee and rare Briggs Meat issues) reveals an outstanding "good-natured/sheepish grin", depicting crystal-clear clarity, superb contrast and rich facial hues.

While the near-perfect horizontal centering is somewhat compromised by the illustration favoring the left edge, the aesthetically brilliant tranquil purple background, four dazzling white borders, glistening surfaces, sharp perimeter edging, and a stellar verso portraying Mantle's statistical information/ticket offer promotion all support the unfathomable "7" grade. With regard to value, we couldn't even begin to estimate its potential worth since its irrefutable "unique for the grade" stature leaves no traces of recent benchmark pricing. With the card market currently realizing stratospheric-like sales for the finest cardboard scarcities, we can only assume that "the sky's the limit" for the ultimate value of this "one of a kind" Stahl-Meyer Mantle!

MIN BID $7,500
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