1951 Wheaties Premium Photos #G Mickey Mantle PSA EX 5

Sold For:

$5,289

Year:

1951

Auction:

2026 March

Lot #:

26

Category:

Postwar Baseball Cards (1948-present)

Graded EX 5 by PSA. Very attractive mid-grade example of the key card, Mickey Mantle, from the very scarce and unusual 1951 Wheaties premium set. Each glossy premium measures 5 x 7 inches and features an individual star photograph. The Standard Catalog notes, "Whether or not these 5" x 7" black-and-white photos were ever issued at all, or only on a test basis is unknown. Despite being unmarked, they are reliably attributed to General Mills, possibly intended for use as a Wheaties premium. The photos found on some of the pictures are the same pictures used on the box-back Wheaties cards of 1952." Our best guess is these premiums are from an early 1990s find originating directly from the files of General Mills. This speculation is entirely consistent with the fact that, also in the early 1990s, a small number of Mint file copy sets of 1952 Wheaties cards on complete unassembled individual boxes of cereal surfaced that obviously originated directly from the company. This example features outstanding photo quality and light wear to the corners. The blank reverse is clean. This is a very appealing example of the key photo from the set.