This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2021
Graded GOOD 2 by PSA. A recently graded example that is somewhat a casualty of the current grading standards, the offered card may have been better suited in a holder ever so slightly elevated from the opined grade. Just the look of this card leaves any enthusiast with the thought that Topps surely knew what a young Mickey Mantle possessed! The movie star good looks, the small town kid from nowhere Oklahoma, the switch hitting prowess that resulted in titanic home runs. Mantle appears here on his first Topps card which is the number one card in the famed high numbered series and is also a double print as if Topps immediately knew of the kid's ability as a pitchman for their inaugural release. Deep bold azure blue envelops the young "Commerce Comet" while the steely blue of the Mick's Yankee cap is set off by the contrasting stark white intertwined NY. Although not of exceptionally high grade, the flesh tones in the young superstar's face and hands lend a three-dimensional appearance when set upon the aforementioned reverse. The centering, although showing a preference for the right edge, does give all collectors the assurance that not everything in the cardboard world is perfect. Each of the four corners have muted points but check far in advance of what one would encounter on most cards graded at the offered level. The reverse offers a splendid presentation of a clean palate of sullen gray and fire engine red which form to create the bio for the future siege gun of the Bronx Bombers. There are no apparent stains or issues of any type. A tremendously esthetic copy of this famed card that comes with our utmost of recommendations.