This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
In today's world, over 60 years after it was initially released, the 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle card tends to be under appreciated in collector circles, although there's not an enthusiast out there that wouldn't love to have one in their collection. After all, it's in the unenviable position of not being a rookie card and having to directly compete with the 1952 Topps Mantle, an iconic issue that stands at the forefront of the entire hobby. But when you come across an incredible MINT specimen like this one, you better believe that you're looking at a card that could easily define any world-class collection. First off, only one other example has been graded MINT 9 by SGC with none graded higher out of over 500 copies submitted to SGC. Every aspect of the front surface nears perfection, from the virtually dead-on framing to the placement of color in the central image, so precise and bold that you can actually picture Mantle posing for the photographer who snapped the original image, appearing more steadfast that the normally jovial Mantle of the past, as if he's learned from the troubling slump that plagued his debut in the major leagues and had returned with a new resolve. The edges display a very light rough cut, assuring the hobbyist of the offered card's untainted status. Each of the corners stands at the very pinnacle of the opined grade with nary a stray fiber to be found. The reverse is perfectly printed with no disturbance to be encountered. Another amazing, museum-quality pasteboard offered at the very strongest level of MINT condition.