(LOT 27)
1952 Mickey Mantle Star-Cal Decals Type 1 – Subject# 70-G (PSA "Authentic")
One of the most obscure post-WWII issues is the seldom surfacing 1952 Star-Cal Decals (Type 1) that include 100 subjects (of which 70 represent different players w/30 multiple player issues), and an extensive 23 Hall of Famers. Manufactured by the Meyercord Co. Chicago based corporation, each oversized subject measures approximately 4-1/8" x 6-1/8", with the extensive array of 23 Cooperstown Inductees including the likes of Ted Williams (2 separate subjects), Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial (2 separate subjects), and the "king" of the post-war market, Mickey Charles Mantle. The player decals included sparkling color images and a large/bold facsimile autograph, with the stickers originally enclosed in a bold red-sealed envelope/wrapper.

Due to a vast majority of these decals being removed from their envelopes by captivated young baseball fans to place on books, school lockers, bedroom walls, or almost anything a boy could find as a permanent new home, there is a significant scarcity level with finding the decals enclosed in their original wrappers. Their unquestionable rarity is justified by PSA's "Pop" Chart that indicates less than 40 of the possible 70 different players being encapsulated, with only 143 graded examples listed at the time this was written. Of those 143 specimens, 126 have been deemed "Authentic", with PSA eventually opting to classify a "packaged player decal" as an authentic item. As is the case with virtually every post-WWII set, the most valuable subject is the immortal Mickey Mantle, with his PSA "Authentic" 1952 Star-Cal Decal (Type 1) presented here in its original crimson red envelope and emulating outstanding eye appeal.

One of only 18 PSA encapsulated Mantle copies (ALL graded 'Authentic"), it irrefutably stands as the rarest of his 1952 issues, far outdistancing the paucity level of Mantle's most prestigious 1952 Topps #311 "Holy Grail"! The 1952 season would see the incomparable Mantle eclipse the .300 batting mark for the first time, as the 'Mick" compiled a .311 average, belted 23 round-trippers and batted in 87 runs. As we all know, this would only be a "glimpse" of what was to come for the iconic Mantle who would eventually win a Triple Crown, slug 536 career round trippers, accumulated a record 18 World Series homers while winning seven championships, and most significantly, establish himself as baseball's most imposing all-time power hitter via his colossal tape-measure blasts that included a record 565-foot dinger in 1953 at Griffith Stadium.

Likewise, the aesthetics of this ultra-scarce offering are awesome to say the least, with the original 15 cents envelope only portraying some modest corner wear, negligible edge chipping and no obtrusive surface flaws. More significantly, the Mantle central image decal is absolutely breathtaking, still retaining is original vibrant hues and crystal-clear clarity. The neat verso reveals nearly no signs of wear, with its abundance of sticker use recommendations (mirrors, walls, lunch boxes, books, school cases, wind shields, etc.) and "EASY TO APPLY" instructions as vivid as its original factory issued date some 68 years ago. One of the "Commerce Comet's" most eclectic type issues, rarely do any of the 18 known PSA examples surface for the taking, justifying why the sophisticated Mantle or type card enthusiast should relentlessly pursue the final bid and capture this world-class memento!

MIN BID $1,500
_