A Mickey Mantle rookie rarity (WITH HI RES SCANS)

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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

1948_Swell_Robinson

Great find! Congrats!

Stone193

Wow!

Congratulations Tim!

I'm guessing his auto along with being a rookie indicated his less flamboyant personality which may have changed with more attention and accolades?

Keyman's web is really helpful IMO; there's some sections that I wish they would update tho.

Thank for the writeup buddy.

PS: I think we've discussed a long time ago that he only wore that patch in 1951 and sans the #7; he wore #6.

Good article on the Mantle auto: LINK

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@Stone193 said:
Wow!

Congratulations Tim!

I'm guessing his auto along with being a rookie indicated his less flamboyant personality which may have changed with more attention and accolades?

Keyman's web is really helpful IMO; there's some sections that I wish they would update tho.

Thank for the writeup buddy.

PS: I think we've discussed a long time ago that he only wore that patch in 1951 and sans the #7; he wore #6.

Good article on the Mantle auto: LINK

Hey Mike! Long time.

Yes on the signature; it’s period so it’s incredibly similar to the one on his iconic 1952 Topps card. Yes, I recall our conversations fondly and he does have about 5-7 distinct signatures that can all be considered legitimate.

Also, PSA has graded an example of the item and though it is the autograph only, the placement, greeting and style on my example coupled with a careful study of that PSA example made me feel this was the genuine article. The person from whom I purchased it found it taped in an old album.

This is the aforementioned ‘PSA example’ (much nicer); it is an image that pops up on google when you search ‘mantle rookie postcard’, looks like Hunt sold it.

mintonlypls

Tim...

Very cool piece, congrats!

WFFL

Wow! Congrats on the addition. I always look for to seeing what you pick up next.

MantleFan23

Very cool item. You have an amazing Mantle collection!

MantleMarisFordBerra

Very nice start to 2025 for you! Congrats!

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@1948_Swell_Robinson said:
Great find! Congrats!

@mintonlypls said:
Tim...

Very cool piece, congrats!

@WFFL said:
Wow! Congrats on the addition. I always look for to seeing what you pick up next.

@MantleFan23 said:
Very cool item. You have an amazing Mantle collection!

@MantleMarisFordBerra said:
Very nice start to 2025 for you! Congrats!

Thank you very much, fellas.

Still on cloud nine right now…

1948_Swell_Robinson

PSA should be grading that card.

mattyc_collection

Love everything about that piece especially the signature.

1951WheatiesPremium

@1948_Swell_Robinson said:
PSA should be grading that card.

Their research department is pretty darn solid and they have high standards. That’s how it should be, realistically, and that’s coming from someone that has had his fair share of rejection and recognition.

Also, I have heard that this year will be a good one for the Registry, at large, and that some of the flow on set requests and new additions is going to improve dramatically.

That will make a lot of people happy, for a variety of reasons, when it happens.

fmclaug11

Great find! Love the rare Mantle items you have accumulated.

judgebuck

Great pickup, Tim! I always look forward to seeing your Mantle acquisitions!

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@mattyc_collection said:
Love everything about that piece especially the signature.

@fmclaug11 said:
Great find! Love the rare Mantle items you have accumulated.

@judgebuck said:
Great pickup, Tim! I always look forward to seeing your Mantle acquisitions!

Thank you, gentlemen.

I feel very lucky to be the steward of this card. Mickey Mantle is a beloved figure in this hobby for a variety of reasons.

I mean, to just imagine that a 19 year old Mickey Mantle sitting down and signing this card is unbelievable to me. Pretty cocky, too.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mantlmi01.shtml

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@UFFDAH

You showed me yours so I want to show you mine!

😁