This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/12/2024
This 1954 All-Star New York Yankee Mickey Mantle Photo Pack, featuring his vintage 1950s autograph, is an extraordinary and incredibly rare find. This 6" x 8-3/4" black-and-white photo was part of a 1954 All-Star photo pack promotion. It captures Mantle in his iconic New York cap and Yankees uniform, with a stern expression as he stands in his batting stance. What makes this photo particularly unique is its suspected origin from the 1951 New York Yankees spring training, held in Arizona—the first, and only time the Yankees ever trained there. In the photo, Mantle is seen partially revealing his jersey number. While Mantle is famously associated with the number 7, he was initially given uniform number 6 upon arriving for spring training in 1951. This number signified the Yankees' expectation that Mantle would follow in the footsteps of greats like Ruth (number 3), Gehrig (number 4), and DiMaggio (number 5). However, Mantle disliked the number and the immense pressure it symbolized. Despite dazzling in 1951 spring training, Mantle struggled in June and July, leading to his demotion to the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Kansas City. Devastated, he called his father, Mutt Mantle, seeking support and expressing doubts about continuing his baseball career. Mutt hung up the phone in an instant and drove from Commerce, Oklahoma to Kansas City to see his son Mickey. Upon his father's arrival, Mickey reiterated his feelings from the phone call, expressing that he had lost all confidence and wanted to quit. Mutt's response was harsh: "Now you shut up! I don’t wanna hear your whining! I thought I raised a man, not a coward!” He then packed Mickey’s belongings, threatening that if he quit baseball, he could come work with him in the mines in Commerce, Oklahoma. Mickey would then break down in tears and told his father he would not quit and give baseball another shot. After that encounter with his father, Mantle's game was revitalized and was eventually called back up to the Yankees, where he was given jersey number 7. These oversized card photos were likely sold at stadiums as souvenirs during the 1954 and 1955 seasons. This item also comes with a PSA/DNA Letter of Authenticity, certifying the Mickey Mantle autograph as a PSA MINT 9, making it exceptionally uncommon. The autograph reads, "Best Wishes, Mickey Mantle," a novelty because Mantle typically personalized most of his autographs. The signature, done in blue pen ink, dates back to the original 1954-1955 timeframe, adding to its historical significance. This 1954 All-Star New York Yankee Photo Pack with Mantle's vintage autograph is a prized possession, embodying a truly special and historic piece of baseball memorabilia.