Best Of

As someone who collects all things Mickey Mantle, there’s some items you know that there is a high likelihood you’ll never own. Whether it’s the 1952 Topps Mantle, the Topps Test Issues (1961 Dice Card, as an example) along with several other items that because of price, scarcity or both just don’t ever seem to be realistically available. So when I say I never expected to land this card, I truly mean it.

Many people would look at this item and walk right past it. It’s rather nondescript, it is black and white and it’s a blank backed photocard that is 3 1/2 by 5 inches in size. However, it’s got some interesting stories around it that have seemingly been confirmed by those that have collected the Commerce Comet. Kelly Eisenhower wrote about and ID’d the Mantle postcard for SCD maybe 15 years ago and I’ve included a link and the relevant bit in these photos:

https://www.scribd.com/document/186129026/Permit-Mnale

Then there’s another excellent researcher, Steve Keyman, who also dedicated a page on his website to this item years ago.

https://www.keymancollectibles.com/cards/mantlepostcard51.htm

Well, after many years of searching for it, I landed one and it has finally arrived. Now, it’s obviously a little banged up but I am more than ok with a ‘known’ item from the 1951-52 era with his ‘first’ signature styling by the great Mickey Charles Mantle coming into the fold, even if PSA doesn’t presently grade anything but the signature (Hunt Auctions sold one with an authenticated autograph only late last year).

So to all my friends and fellow collectors here at CU, please feast your eyes on this beautiful ball point autographed marvel that had survived in album for about 73 years before it was liberated from its hiding spot a few weeks back and ultimately landed with yours truly. 🙂

1951 Publicity Postcard Rookie - Mickey Mantle