1951 Wheaties Premiums

[Zach Wheat]

Mantle is "G".

I am not sure of the "lettering" for Rizzuto and Schalow. I compiled my information from a number of sources. I have never seen an image of Rizzuto.

Z Wheat

[Bestdj777]

Oh, okay. I was looking at the first letter, not the last. PSA has Rizzuto as B. Here is the only pic I could find of his card, courtesy of Robert Edwards. Unfortunately, it is too small to discern the letter, at least for my eyes.

[toppcat]

I think it's possible there is no "I". Due to confusion with "1" it's often not used in schemes such as this A-K one. Topps did not use "I" in the 1948-49 Magic Photos scheme and I have seen other sets without such a designation as well.

[sflayank]

i think rizzuto is b
and i think dave is right about no I
carling beer magic photos etc all eliminated I

[Zach Wheat]

Good information, guys. Thanks.

Z Wheat

[whiteymet]

I always wondered about this set. Why would Wheaties, or whoever issued the set include a Mantle in a 1951 set? His rookie year? Makes no sense!

Why include a guy who only played in 96 games, hit .267 with 13 HR's? Remember he wasn't MICKEY MANTLE yet!

I am not even convinced this is a Wheaties issue. Just because the same photos were used in a later issue, does not make it so. Some of the photos like the Ashburn were normal team stock issue photos.

I always wondered if any of the photos could be found by photo collectors who could date the photo. I bet some of them were after 1951!

Am I off base here??

Fred

[whiteymet]

Just had another thought. Did not all the 1951 uniforms have a special patch on the left sleeve with crossed bats? If I am correct, how could this Mantle photo have been taken in 1951 which it would have to have been if this is a 191 issue?

Some Mantle collector out there has a Type1 photo of this shot who can date it.