(LOT 37)
1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle PSA 8 NM-MT
This breathtaking 1952 Bowman PSA NM/MT 8 Mickey Mantle gem stands as one of the most highly coveted cards in the collecting community. Indeed, this hallowed offering has somehow managed to defy "Father-Time", retaining an abundance of its original factory issues attributes over the past 69 years. Of the 3,300+ PSA encapsulated copies, only a mere 0.6% (19 examples) have managed to exceed this offering's stupendous "8" assessment, with the near-perfect 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 and with more consistence than "The Mick", especially in lieu of our National Pastime's current steroid ridden environment. It is with no coincidence that the pricing points for his early-1950s 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 have recently achieved record-setting prices.

In fact, another PSA 8 Bowman Mantle followed suit in our July Dr. Newman Auction, fetching a lofty $46K. With the pricing points for early-1950s Mantle high-grade cards continuing to rise, now may be the time to capture one of his brilliantly preserved 1952 Bowman second-year cards before their pricing pints reach an unattainable level. The sparkling lithographic image emanates rich blue and facial hues, and is extremely well-centered, a near-impossible characteristic to find on any '52 Bowman Mantle subject. The razor-sharp perimeter includes right-angled corners, the gleaming surfaces reveal no glaring blemishes, the borders reflect snow white quality and the verso is super clean. Most significantly, the naked eye cannot detect any factory issued "print lines" that consistently plague a myriad of '52 Bowman Mantles. Extraordinary to say the least, this card has stubbornly defied "Father-Time" and retained a majority of its original factory issued brilliance to rightfully earn the highly coveted "PSA NM-MT 8" assessment!

MIN BID $5,000
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