(LOT 77)
1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle PSA 6 EX-MT
THE MICK'S TRUE ROOKIE!!!... The 1951 Bowman Mantle rookie subject irrefutably resides as one of the most exalted rookie cards in the collecting community. The seemingly infinite rise of Mantle's sanctified 1952 Topps subject including the $12.6 million sale in August 2022 has likewise propelled the desirability and value of his inaugural 1951 Bowman issue, with a PSA 9 MINT '51 Bowman Mantle fetching a record-breaking $3.2 million in Memory Lane's December 2022 auction! With that in mind, presented here is a superb 6 EX-MT example of the iconic Mickey Mantle rookie card that emanates a spectacular array of sparkling hues. Considering the on-going pricing spikes for both The Mick's '51 Bowman and '52 Topps issues, the current sale prices may soon become wholesale figures. Regardless of how the Mickey Mantle mystique was established, no one will argue that Mantle's 1951 Bowman image will forever be embedded in hobby lore. Mantle's unparalleled supernatural power, long tape measure home runs and overall love for the game and fans add to the legacy of all his cardboard treasures. He was Goliath, Davy Crockett, John Wayne and Joe DiMaggio all rolled up into one super icon, the ultimate embodiment of a National hero.

That said, what card could better represent the strength of our hobby than Mickey Mantle's inaugural cardboard issue, treasured by every young boy who grew up worshiping the Commerce Comet dominate the game via his mammoth sized round trippers. The seemingly timeless "bat over shoulder" lithographic pose with Mickey's #6 (vs. his famous #7) partly showing on his uniform was taken from a classic original black & white photograph from Mantle's rookie season. As previously stated, the image reveals vibrant gray-blue colored tints, a bright sky-blue background, extremely rich facial hues as well as no vertical print lines that typically plague this issue. Like most examples, the image is somewhat off-centered, in this case exhibiting partiality towards the upper left edges.

No obtrusive creasing is evident on either side, with the verso revealing several areas of gum stains from its original packaging, emblematic with many 1951 Bowman subjects. The four somewhat square corners exhibit slight wear consistent with the grade, and the sanctified image does reflect an extremely slight off-registration. To reiterate, the "true" Mickey Mantle rookie card holds a special place in the hobby that is surpassed by only a handful of cards, with the mere sight of any mid-grade or higher eye pleasing specimen immediately arousing the interest of any esteemed collector. Its unlimited investment potential merits it the finest hobby accolades, with its bright fresh hues and razor-sharp perimeter the highlights of this seemingly pack-fresh marvel!

MIN BID $12,500
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