Mantle Exhibit Cards question
 

I was reading a Beckett 1995 publication that had a Mantle checklist of all cards he'd been on up until that time.
Beckett stated Mantle had 4 1947-66 exhibit cards #146. A,B,C, and D, with D being the most valuable.
I can see no indication on my card of any of the above, no numbers or letter.
Anyone have anything on this ?
Thanks.

mantle
 

exhibits arent #ed
different poses

the 4 listed variations in PSA pop report are:

1st Name Not Outlined
1st Name Outline in White
Batting, Pinstripes
Portrait

not sure how they compare to the letter assignments in your beckett article, but there are far fewer registered slabs for 'portrait' so i'd venture it's the most valuable today regardless what was meant 20 yr ago (but I don't collect Mantle and so could be wrong)

For a visual the different variations are:

1 - 1st Name Not Outlined

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/...e8b41b18ef.jpg

2 - 1st Name Outline in White

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/...a7dd461d8f.jpg

3 - Batting, Pinstripes

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4312/...b2c115ec2e.jpg

4 - Portrait

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4328/...c5e8a0fdd9.jpg

I'm just an exhibit collector not scholar, but in my experience variations 2 and 3 are common, variation 1 is uncommon compared to 2 and 3, and variation 4 is rare. The first three can be had for $25-$250 depending on condition/back. The portrait doesn't come up often and it's probably a minimum $800-$1000 in low grade.

If you wanted to get technical, however, there are probably dozens of variations of the Mantle exhibit all things considered. They include blank backs, post card backs, and stat backs, B&W, "Printed in USA" vs "Made in USA", and location of the printing designation. ESCO printed new batches of the cards yearly and made small modifications often. Maybe a Mantle or exhibit collector can chime in and give a full checklist, but I know they can be found with post card backs, black stat backs, blue stat backs, and red stat backs. Just a guess, because I don't even know if the portrait was printed in 1962, but I'd imagine a 62 Portrait Exhibit with a red stat back would be the rarest of the rare.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/...4e9713977d.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/...5dd929bcdf.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4312/...1f94dc2ea0.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4323/...6be8248f1f.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/...76c216d265.jpg

I think the portrait was issued after the stat backs and does not exist with stat backs. The postcard backs are quite difficult to find, and the Mantle would be particularly expensive.

Great addition. I didn't realize pc backs were that difficult in relation to these series as they are quite plentiful in other series. Were they a single year issue like the 62 and 63 stat backs?

Yes, 1955. And, there are two variations of the postcard back. There is also the Dad's Cookies, which is a bear. And the Pittsburgh Exhibits, with two variations. I owned the only card graded of one of them and now own one of three of the other. Wish I hadn't sold the one of one, but the price was right.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the in depth information.