Lot # 46: 1959 Bazooka MICKEY MANTLE (Hand Cut) SGC 3.5 VG+

Category: 1950-1959

Starting Bid: $1,250.00

Bids: 9 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Rarities Auction 2020",
which ran from 5/6/2020 12:00 PM to
5/30/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 46)
1959 Bazooka MICKEY MANTLE (Hand Cut) SGC 3.5 VG+

Since the rise of the card hobby in the 1980's, the unparalleled "hype" of Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps rookie card has placed this immortal Yankee Hall of Famer as the most prestigious post-WWII player in the card hobby. How a single card placed this revered superstar at the sports collectible summit may never be fully understood, but regardless of how this path was laid, Mantle's status as the embodiment of a National hero is irrefutable. Mantle was Goliath, Davey Crockett, John Wayne and Joe DiMaggio all rolled up into one American icon, ably assisted by his supernatural power that led to a myriad of tape measure home runs. Aside from his hallowed rookie card, there are a number of Mantle issues that seldom surface, highly sought after by the most elite collectors. One of those rarities is the first Bazooka Gum series issued in 1959 with the 24 offered subjects printed on the one-cent Topps Bazooka Bubble Gum boxes.

The major stigma with this issue is that most individuals cut the cards at or within the black dashes intended to be the card's perimeter. Major card grading companies assign an "Authentic" technical assessment in these cases, with few copies noted otherwise. Substantiating that notion is the COMBINED SGC and PSA "Pop" Charts listing 131 or 74% of the 177 encapsulated cards as "Authentic"! Presented here just happens to be a stunning Mickey Mantle 1959 Bazooka card that has been neatly cut from the box, and has justifiably received a superb SGC VG+ 3.5 assessment. Coming off their 1958 World Series victory over the Milwaukee Braves, the 1959 Yankees would once again be the favorite to win the American League pennant, led by their world-class superstar Mickey Charles Mantle. The Bazooka Chewing Gum Company celebrated the Yankees championship by utilizing Mantle as one of their 24 subjects, and virtually synonymous to all post-1950 sets, the Commerce Comet resides as the most desirable and valuable card in this eclectic compilation.

Mantle's renowned left-handed batting pose is nearly immaculate as "the Mick" prepares to clout another one of his colossal round trippers into Yankee Stadium's legendary upper deck. Furthermore, a classic Stadium backdrop provides the perfect setting for this museum worthy masterpiece with one of its foremost attributes being the absence of any surface snow that typically plagues the obverse side's image. Mantle's iconic Yankees pinstripe uniform is nearly flawless, with only some negligible soiling situated alongside the upper left edge. Most significantly, the image is relatively well centered between four bright white borders, with the illustration only slightly favoring the left edge. The only noteworthy imperfection is a modest angle-cut along the upper edge, with no obtrusive surface flaws evident. The blank verso is also relatively clean, the final superlative for one of the superior eye-pleasing 1959 Bazooka Mantle specimens extant. Unquestionably residing as one of the most coveted Mickey Mantle "type" cards issued during the 1950's, it merits serious attention from the most sophisticated Mantle enthusiasts!

MIN BID $1,250
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