The most iconic post war baseball card

Tomi

So we can all agree that the 52 Mantle is the most popular and iconic post war baseball card ever, but which card would take it's place if Mantle never played and his cards never existed.

jfkheat

I would say either the 54 Aaron or the 52 topps Mays
James

lawnmowerman

Another vote for the 54 Aaron. it's such a nice looking card.

elronmckenzie

Just a few off the top of my head would be '51 Bowman Mays, '54 Topps Aaron, '55 Topps Clemente, '60 Topps Yastrzemski, '68 Topps Koosman/Ryan, '89 Upper Deck Griffey Jr.

vols1

DanBessette

As much as I'd like to pick Yaz, my vote is for 54 Aaron.

dberk12

Obviously the '84 Donruss Mattingly, lol. Bias aside, there have been solid suggestions. '54 Aaron, '55 Clemente, and '68 Ryan come to mind first.

Dialj

The '51 Mays, '54 Aaron, '55 Clemente, and '55 Koufax would be at the top of my list.

aconte

Another vote for 54 Aaron.

aconte

swish54

'55 Clemente and '68 Ryan/Koosman for me.

mattyc_collection

I always looked at the Ryan Rookie as "the" Post War card after the Mantle. He held a similarly exalted status among collectors and fans in the late 80's, when the card really began to break out.

Stingray

If we are talking iconic, I would have to go with 89 UD Griffey. The rookie craze had already begun by the time the card came out, but this card made everyone want to collect baseball cards!!

bishop

For me it would be a toss up between the 1959 Ford Frick and Warren Giles cards

Jakt

If I were to add a card to my collection, it would be one of the following:

55 Topps Koufax
55 Topps Clemente
54 Topps Aaron
51 Bowman Mays
68 Topps Ryan

I think the Rose Rookie, Brett rookie and Griffey Upper Deck would fall into the iconic category, but I have no overwhelming desire to add them to my collection.

PSASAP

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson gets my vote.

KendallCat

1968 Ryan would be up there along with 89 UD Griffey and to a lesser degree a 1975 Brett. Amazing if you took Mantle out of baseball what the card market would look like. He has the most expensive card in most years, and funny thing is if you look at a lot of sets from the 70's so does Ryan.

vintagefun

I think it would be Aaron, Clemente or Mays, but for a curveball, a really tough card, and a 500 club RC, the 52 Mathews is a toughie.

larryallen73

Well at one time it was definitely a toss up between the '79 Horner and '81 Charboneau.

TheMick6

My vote goes to the 54 Aaron in my mind one of the undervalued cards in the hobby. Well as undervalued as a 4 figure card can be.

MiniDuff

To me it is the 55 Clemente and really not even close after that.

Dpeck100

What is the criteria of iconic?

If it is most recognizable it is hands down the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.


If it is most sought after card after the Mantle then the Clemente, Aaron, Ryan etc. can win.

MrNearMint

Kinda surprised nobody mentioned 54 Ernie banks. For some reason I love that card, maybe it's the white background.

PSASAP

Well at one time it was definitely a toss up between the '79 Horner and '81 Charboneau. -------------------------

He said iconic, not ironic.