(LOT 614)
1954 Bowman #65 Mickey Mantle PSA 8 NM-MT
The 1954 season would mark the first time the "Commerce Comet" would eclipse the 100 R.B.I. mark, knocking in 102 runs while leading the Junior Circuit with 129 runs scored. Indeed, the Yankees fleet footed centerfielder was certainly on his way to an unparalleled stardom, with his Goliath-like power producing colossal sized round-trippers that could test the confines of Yellowstone Park! From a collecting perspective, unfortunately for the seemingly countless number of Mickey Mantle worshipers, the 1953 Topps Mantle would be the final Topps Mantle card issued until 1956. The power struggle between Bowman and Topps during the early to mid-50s, with respect to Mantle's presence, would favor the Bowman Gum Company for 1954 and 1955. Indeed, Mantle's hallowed illustration would not appear on a Topps card until 1956, with this superstar's iconic image still available via the likewise popular Bowman card sets. One of his fans favorite baseball cards continues to be the 1954 Bowman Mantle subject, issued during the aforementioned campaign when "The Mick" was continuing his relentless assault on overmatched A.L. twirlers.

That said, Memory Lane is ultra-proud to present this outstanding PSA 8 NM-MT gem that has only been bested by 18 or 0.4 % of the approximate 4,500 PSA encapsulated examples! It is surely no secret that the floodgates have opened with respect to surging pricing points for high-grade Mantle baseball cards, justified by a PSA 9 Mint 1954 Bowman Mantle fetching $245K in Memory Lane's July 2021 auction. How long these rising values continue to escalate no one truly knows, but this magnificent PSA 8 offering certainly represents a grand opportunity to capture one of Mickey's highly coveted cardboard jewels before its ultimate worth reaches an unattainable level. The classic "half-body" image reveals the finest possible rich hues and near-perfect resolution, with "The Mick's" iconic pose exhibiting outstanding centering and only a slight favoritism towards the right edge. Blistering sharp corner tips could possibly draw blood, the gleaming obverse side surface is near-immaculate, the borders reveal dazzling white quality, and a virtually impeccable flipside completes this pack-fresh marvel that arguably emanates eye appeal consistent with any 9 MINT specimen!

DISCLOSURE: The individual 1954 Bowman Baseball Set Break card individual lots 550-774 aggregate lot total or lot 549 Complete Set will determine the final winner(s) for one of the finest arrays of high-grade imaginable!

MIN BID $5,000
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MLI is offering The Finest 1954 Bowman 225-Subject Basic-Set in an alternative selling format. All Lots numbered from 550-774 will be sold individually to the highest bidder, unless Lot # 549's hammer price exceeds the hammer price of Lots 550-774 combined cumulative total. In which case, the cards would be sold as a set. Once bidding starts, the green check mark below simply designates which format has the current high bid. In case of a tie - the set wins.

Lot 549 (Set Total):  $102,903
Lot 550-774 (Individual Card Total):  $302,913