(LOT 56)
1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle PSA 8 NM-MT
This extraordinary 1952 Bowman PSA 8 NM-MT Mantle gem resides as one of his most coveted cards in the collecting community. Indeed, this hallowed offering has somehow managed to defy "Father-Time", retaining an abundance of its original attributes over the past 70 years. Of the approximate 3,400 PSA encapsulated copies, only a mere 0.5% (19 examples) have managed to exceed this offering's stupendous "8" assessment, with the superb centering the major highlight of this "pack-fresh" marvel. Synonymous with this card's breathtaking aesthetics and time defying condition is the unbridled legacy of Mickey Charles Mantle. The "Commerce Comet" as so many avid fans dubbed him, captured the hearts of millions of Americans via his colossal tape measure home runs. It is nearly inconceivable to think that no baseball player before and after hit a baseball further than "The Mick", with this supernatural-like slugger walloping at least ten documented 500+ foot homers. It is with no coincidence that the pricing points for his early 1950's baseball card issues have suddenly taken off like an ICBM missile, triggered by the incomparable rise of his "Holy Grail" 1951 Bowman Rookie and 1952 Topps high-numbered subjects that continue to achieve record-setting prices. In July 2021, another PSA 8 '52 Bowman Mantle fetched a record-setting $46K price, a sound testament for this card's unlimited potential. With the pricing points for all early 1950's Mantle high-grade cards continuing to rise, now may be the perfect time to capture one of his brilliantly preserved 1952 Bowman second-year cards before their value reached an unattainable level. The sparkling lithographic image emanates rich blue and facial hues, and is atypically well-centered, revealing only a negligible partiality towards the lower edge. The razor-sharp perimeter includes pin-point corners, the gleaming surfaces reveal no glaring blemishes, the borders reflect snow white quality and the verso is super clean. Most significantly, along with the seldom surfacing fine centering, the naked eye cannot detect any factory issued "print lines" that consistently plague a myriad of '52 Bowman Mantles. One of the premier PSA 8 examples, it has retained a majority of its original factory-issued qualities to present itself in compelling fashion!
MIN BID $7,500
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