This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/11/2013
Entering his 17th big league season, it was clear that Mickey Mantle's advancing age, not to mention his numerous injuries and wild lifestyle, was taking its toll. Though he was still an effective player, his 23 homers and .288 batting average the previous season relegated him to "mere mortal" status; he was no longer the legendary slugger of the 1950's. But from his pasteboard debut in 1952 up until his last appearance in 1969, every Mickey Mantle baseball card produced by Topps was key to completing the set. Over 4,800 grade-worthy examples of Mickey Mantle's classic 1967 Topps issue have been evaluated by the PSA grading team, and the offered specimen is one of only 2 examples that have ever attained GEM MINT 10 status. To emphasize how incredibly rare this card is, consider that his iconic '52 Topps card reports three PSA 10 specimens out of 1,100 submissions and his popular '56 Topps card shows four PSA GEM MINT grades out of 4,400 tries. Centered almost to perfection with uncompromising GEM MINT corners connected by sleek, flawless edges, the eye cannot help but be drawn to the phosphorescent surface, glistening with pack-fresh gloss. Particularly noteworthy is the impressive saturation of the red ink spelling "YANKEES" and the shockingly chip-free, green-printed reverse perimeter. This in an extraordinary opportunity to acquire an elite card that should probably be under glass at one of the world's most prestigious museums!