Love of the Game Fall, 2021 Premier Auction

4. 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle (HOF RC) - PSA EX-MT 6

In very few areas of the hobby can one call a five-figure card “underrated,” but in the case of the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle, the description is appropriate. Despite its status as the “true” rookie card of postwar baseball’s most revered and popular player, the 1951 Bowman Mantle has long been overshadowed by the legend of the 1952 Topps card (which many even refer to as his rookie card). Still, nothing can change the fact that the 1951 Bowman #253 Mantle is his rookie card, and it is a beautiful, desirable card depicting the Yankee outfielder from the waist up in his batting stance, blue sky and puffy summer clouds in the distance. Despite being underrated, the card has begun an explosive period of popularity growth, reaching into the five figures at even the lower grades. This example is quite clean and sharp, graded EX-MT 6 by PSA, with rich, vivid color and outstanding print registration. The image is centered slightly to the top left, though not in a way that distracts from the tremendous eye appeal of the card. Surface and clarity are outstanding. An exquisite specimen, one of the finest we have offered. MINIMUM BID: $7,500

9

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker