(LOT 44)
1953 Bowman #59 Mickey Mantle PSA 9 MINT - Only ONE Example Graded Higher!
The prestigious Topps and Bowman Chewing Gum Companies vigorously battled for baseball card supremacy throughout the early-1950s, with their most exalted subject being the iconic Mickey Charles Mantle. While "The Mick" had a myriad of eye pleasing cardboard issues to choose from, numerous sophisticated enthusiasts would soundly agree that one of his most aesthetically superior cards remains his 1953 Bowman keepsake. With that in mind, offered here is a breathtaking PSA Mint 9 specimen of Mantle's highly coveted 1953 Bowman card, with PSA's prestigious "pop" chart listing only a SINGLE higher graded example! It is no secret that the immortal Mickey Mantle rules the post-WWII card market, primarily due to the mystique of his iconic 1952 Topps card as well as his unparalleled power. The "Mick" was the quintessential idol for millions of young aspiring American boys, and his supernatural tape-measure home runs as well as his unfathomable string of championships all justify why his cardboard stature continues to escalate at an infinite level. The Mantle card market has never been "hotter", with record-breaking prices virtually recorded with each and every sale.

This is substantiated by the staggering sales for his PSA Mint 9 '54 Bowman ($245K) and '55 Bowman ($210K) subjects in our historic Dr. Newman auction. That said, it has been a while since a breathtaking PSA Mint 9 '53 Bowman subject has surfaced for the taking (MLI sold an 8.5 example for $30K in our last auction), with prior sales for a "Mint 9" some 2+ years ago reaching as high as $78K. His Cooperstown worthy batting image portrays near-immaculate contrast, impeccable clarity, and vivid hues as the Goliath-like switch hitter completes his mighty right-handed swing. The hallowed image reveals magnificent centering between the 50/50 and 55/45 range (atypical for most examples that primarily portray skewed images), with archetypal rough factory cuts along the left and right edges. Pack-fresh to say the least, a super eye pleasing powder blue background, virtually flawless surfaces, super-clean borders and blistering sharp corner tips consistent with the grade complete this 68-year-old marvel. We cannot begin to emphasize the continuous soaring market prices for hallowed Cooperstown inductees from the '50s and '60s, and as hobbyists are well aware of, the "Commerce Comet" easily paves the way for this unprecedented escalation. Now is your golden opportunity to emulate "The Mick" himself, and hit a mammoth home run of your own by seizing this world-class "Mint 9" gem that has only been bested by a single PSA specimen!

MIN BID $20,000
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