(LOT 118)
"Unique" 1951 Mickey Mantle PSA Type I Encapsulated Rookie Batting United Press Photo (Portraying "The Mick's" Original #6 Jersey) – Measures Approx. 7" x 9" (Includes PSA Type 1 LOA)
With regard to iconic-like images, the Type 1 Photo market is "smoking hot" as an abundance of our National Pastime's legendary illustrations continue realizing stratospheric price tags. A perfect example of that notion is a Babe Ruth rookie photo recently fetching a $174,000 record price, once again validating the unparalleled hype for rookie-era artifacts. While the "Sultan of Swat" continues to dominate the pre-war market, the immortal Mickey Charles Mantle holds a firm grip as the king of the post-WWII hobby, with his cardboard issues and memorabilia highly sought after by the most advanced enthusiasts. It is no secret that Mickey Mantle's 1951 Bowman rookie baseball card stands as one of the hobby's foremost collectibles, with this inaugural Mantle card reflecting "The Mick" donning his original #6 uniform.

Little did people realize that this powerful rookie from Oklahoma would be embarking on one of the most iconic careers in our National Pastime's glorious history. Luckily for hobbyists, there are thousands of these cards to choose from, more than accommodating the collecting community for an opportunity to own a rookie-era Mantle baseball card. Unfortunately for the most passionate collectors, the prospect of owning a 1951 original rookie photo of the legendary Mantle is virtually non-existent, with only a handful of Type I photos from his inaugural campaign available for the taking. One such photo that actually represented his 1951 Rookie card image publicly sold for a staggering $70K+ approximately five years ago BEFORE the photo-market exploded with regard to pricing escalation, justifying the desirability to capture one of these scarce 1951 Mantle images. Additionally, there are only a handful of Type 1 Photos representing "The Mick's" hallowed 1952 Topps #311 issue, with the infinite-like value of both the 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps rookie-era Type 1 photos presently residing well in excess of six-figures.

With that in mind, it is Memory Lane's distinct pleasure to now offer this absolutely breathtaking 1951 Mickey Mantle original batting photo with the "Commerce Comet" donning his seldom seen #6 uniform number. Measuring approximately 7" x 9", it has been deemed by PSA a Type I original photo, and to the best of PSA's photo expert's knowledge, stands as the SOLE Type I example extant! While many of these photos were mass-reproduced in the 1980's/90's for the purpose of having them signed by Mantle at a myriad of card shows, you are now afforded the opportunity of capturing the "one and only" original Type 1 copy. Interestingly enough, while there are several known examples for both the 1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps Mantle images, this museum worthy offering is truly unique, somehow defying nearly 70 years of potential wear to miraculously retain a majority of its original eye pleasing attributes.

Arguably speaking, its spectacular aesthetics, classic batting stance pose and the clearly visible bold #6 affixed to his Yankees pinstripe jersey place it as the most imposing Mickey Mantle 1951 rookie photos on the planet. Presenting itself in absolutely breathtaking Near-Mint+ condition, its pristine-like black & white left-handed batting pose reveals Mantle's rookie #6 pinstripe jersey. You can almost feel 'The Mick's' unparalleled power as he prepares to wallop another mammoth blast towards the furthest confines of Yankee Stadium. Perfect contrast, immaculate-like clarity, sharp corners, fine centering, bright white borders and a gleaming/flawless-like surface complete the amazing obverse side. The verso reveals the critical United Press Association stamp with a few light notations including Mickey Mantle's scripted name situated near the upper edge.

If you want to be hopelessly "smitten" by its unequivocal presence, simply take a close look at Mantle's intense facial expression as he braces himself to unleash another one of his supernatural-like swings that triggered the longest tape-measure home runs in baseball history, at least 10 of which were measured at 500+ feet. Who would have ever thought that when this innocent, yet powerful 19-year old rookie was called up to the Major Leagues in the Spring of 1951, it would be the advent of an unprecedented career for the ages. The highly celebrated rookie would actually be sent back down to the minors on July 14th due to a horrific slump, being recalled to the Yankees on August 24th after tearing up the AAA league for the Yankees Kansas City club. Interestingly enough, Mantle's inaugural #6 uniform would inexplicably be changed to #7 upon his return, justifying why original Type 1 images of "The Mick" donning a #6 jersey are few and far between (incredibly, our next lot is an image of Mantle wearing his #7 jersey for the first time when he was recalled by the Yankees on August 24, 1951).

One of the finest Mickey Mantle photos extant, its coupled "one of a kind" status, undisputable 1951 origin via Mickey's imposing #6 jersey and the "Commerce Comet's" incomparable standing as baseball's sheer embodiment of a National hero all combine to place this world-class keepsake as one of the hobby's most significant photos. For all of these reasons as well as a soaring photo market that is achieving record-setting prices seemingly each and every day, we cannot even begin to estimate its potential value. Therefore, we will defer to you, the sophisticated collector, to ultimately decide the true worth of this unique 1951 Mickey Mantle masterpiece that unlike his 1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps images for which there are several known, proudly stands tall as the one and only PSA Type 1 example! Magazine Premium not included with this lot.

MIN BID $5,000
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