2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
Graded MINT 9 by PSA. Hall of Famer, in a debut-year appearance. This is one of just two examples at its tier (with one graded higher) among a total of seventy copies recorded in PSA's census reporting. Only a relatively small number of these black-and-white photo cards of "The Mick" are known to exist. The 5" x 7" glossy piece was issued by Wheaties as part of an eight-card premium set in Mantle's first season of 1951. According to a retired executive who worked for General Mills/Wheaties, the cards were produced by the cereal company as a "test issue" to determine the popularity that such a set would have with the public. After a brief period, the cards were pulled from circulation because the company was not able to come to terms with two of the pictured players ... one of whom was Mickey himself. The copy offered here boasts an exceptionally crisp image, with no discernible traces of circulation at the delicate corners. Printed on photographic-like paper, the blank-backed card is captioned "Mickey Mantle" along the bottom, with a serial number ("A8491G") in the lower right corner. It was only within the last few years that the origin of this rare premium came to light in our hobby. Advanced collectors always regarded them as "anonymously produced" before the manufacturer's employee came forward to describe the photos' origin. Extremely desirable for both its scarcity and its significance as a Mantle rookie-year card. Choice Mint condition.