1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie

Sold For:

$7,200

Year:

1951

Auction:

2016 Spring

Lot #:

1874

Category:

Internet Only

Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. Outstanding example of Mickey Mantle's true rookie card! One of card collecting's greatest classics, Mantle's Bowman rookie card is the key to the 1951 Bowman set, and one of the most popular and significant of all postwar baseball cards. This striking example has vibrant colors and flawless registration. Centered slightly to the top, with three strong corners and a faint crease in the lower left, which accounts for the modest assigned grade. Clean front and back, with no distracting print lines as are so commonly found with this card. The back is also particularly clean, with just a single wax stain, which are often a problem with 1951 Bowmans. This is a very appealing mid-grade example with an overall appearance stronger than its technically accurate assigned grade. This is also a particularly desirable grade for a Mantle rookie card. In all grades, this card sells for a very respectable sum since Mantle's rookie card is always in great demand; however, the card's value rises exponentially as its grade increases (all the way up to $100,000+ in Mint condition). An extremely attractive example is very difficult to find and arguably represents the best value for this all-time classic Mantle card. Reserve $1,500. Estimate $3,000+.