(LOT 6)
Outstanding 1955 Bowman #202 Mickey Mantle PSA 9 MINT - Only 3 PSA Examples Graded Higher"!
MINT '55 BOWMAN!!! Finding a PSA 9 MINT 1955 Bowman Mantle specimen just might be tougher than finding a needle in a haystack! Indeed, this legendary phrase certainly applies to this extraordinary offering that has only been joined by seven other copies at the hallowed MINT level with a paltry three examples graded higher. Imagine, of the 4,200+ PSA encapsulated copies, only a microscopic 0.2% have been fortunate enough to achieve a MINT assessment. When considering the composition of the 1955 Bowman cards, this should come as no surprise due to the ultra-condition sensitivity of the wood-grain borders that revealed even diminutive flaws to the naked eye.

Similar to the 1962 and 1971 Topps issues, attaining near-perfect 1955 Bowman subjects is an excruciating task, with only a microscopic .03% of ALL the set's subjects rewarded with the perfect 10 assessment. The rising prices of high-grade Mantle cards asserted themselves in ultra-strong fashion in Memory Lane's July Dr. Newman auction, with a similar PSA 9 MINT '55 Bowman Mantle fetching a record-setting $210K. As the old saying goes: records are made to be broken, and incredibly, it only took three months for that $210K figure to be left in the dust when another PSA 9 example realized a hefty $375K in Memory Lane's October auction!

These astronomical pricing points substantiate the notion that with regard to desirability and value, it is Mickey Mantle's Topps and Bowman issues that stand tall among the rest of The Mick's inferior peers. It is no secret that Mantle dominates the post-WWII card market in the same manner that Babe Ruth maintains a stranglehold on the pre-war circuit, with all of his high-grade cardboard keepsakes now achieving excessive price tags. Elite collectors truly realize that a Mint 1955 Bowman specimen falls into the category of Mantle cards that know no boundaries with respect to value, and we cannot imagine a finer example to capture. Mantle's classic batting pose depicts near-perfect resolution and contrast, and its well-centered image only reveals a slight favoritism towards the right edge.

Just as impressive is the lack of any surface loss within the TV-like brown frame/borders that is highly popular with avid enthusiasts. Indeed, finding a '55 Bowman Mantle with not even a hint of border damage is a near-impossible chore. Bright colors, pinpoint corners, and a super fresh looking obverse surface are all additional world-class attributes complimenting the grade. Yet, as mot hobbyists realize, it is the virtually blemish free wood-grain borders and lack of any surface flaws that elevate this card's stature to a pinnacle level. The Mickey Mantle baseball card craze continues to plunge ahead at a seemingly infinite level, justified by those previously mentioned stratospheric prices paid for the past two '55 Bowman PSA 9 Mantle subjects. We cannot imagine a more rewarding accomplishment than to meet the daunting challenge of capturing this extremely rare for the grade 1955 Bowman gem that continues to trend upwards with regards to its seemingly unlimited value!

MIN BID $100,000
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