(LOT 42)
Extremely Scarce 1953-54 Briggs Meats Mickey Mantle PSA Authentic
Finding a Briggs Meats subject is synonymous with finding a needle in a haystack! The ultra-scarce Briggs Meats cards were issued in the Washington, D.C. area over a two-year period (1953-54) with this regional issue including 2-player panels cut from a hot dog packages (measuring approx. 4-1/8" x 5-1/2"). The total player count was 64, with 28 Washington Senators and 36 subjects from the three New York teams (Yankees, Dodgers & Giants). Condition sensitive to say the least, a majority of the existing Briggs Meats cards reveal substantial flaws due to their waxed cardboard surfaces being subjected to unsightly package moisture, and nearly all of the cards being carelessly cut from their panels. Substantiating that notion are the combined SGC and PSA census reports indicating that of the total 272 graded examples, a significant 82% (224) are residing in "Authentic" holders. As is the case with virtually all of the 1950s baseball card sets, the most coveted and valuable subject is the immortal Mickey Charles Mantle, and presented here is his super rare "Authentic" Briggs Meats issue.

One of only ten examples encapsulated by the prestigious PSA Grading Company, it should be noted that eight of those ten specimens reside in "Authentic" holders. Its overall condition is relatively superb, considering most of the other known examples exhibit unsightly soiling and heavy creases. This grand offering actually portrays an aesthetically pleasing portrait image also seen on "The Mick's" Dan-Dee and Stahl-Meyer subjects. The "Authentic" assessment is due to the previously mentioned irregular edge trims that typically plague most Briggs Meats subjects, along with some negligible stray wrinkles and modest toning that is evident on both sides. One of the "Commerce Comet's" most elusive cards, its ultra-low "Pop" status substantiates the notion that the esteemed Mantle enthusiast should capture this extremely scarce memento!

MIN BID $3,000
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