The official Mickey Mantle Pickup Thread. All Mick, all the time!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Hey Mike. By all means, do pick up Bob Lemke's 1963 JELL-O variant photo creation. It's saturated with the period charm of the promotion. I'm not brave enough to fold the flattened box, but since it presents so well as is, I intend to leave it flat. I'm contemplating a wooden tray with an insert of deep purple velvet, to represent the black raspberry flavor. Really, it's such an interesting piece. I shudder to think what the box would cost now, if it was real.

It's all fun. I'm putting a display of favorite Mantles together, and also plan to put Bob's fantasy 1952 Red Man Tobacco card in with the originals. We would all know it wasn't genuine; that's the whole point of a fantasy card, anyway--making a dream card come true.

I won't respond with an article-long post, but still anxious to know what you think of your swell 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle when you finally get to hold it in your hand.

Best regards. ---Brian Powell

They are fairly easy to fold into a box. They make awesome display pieces. Here is a picture of miniature versions. I have even made them with Jell-O inside the boxes. The Mantle pair are Bob's awesome design.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by bnorth

They are fairly easy to fold into a box. They make awesome display pieces. Here is a picture of miniature versions. I have even made them with Jell-O inside the boxes. The Mantle pair are Bob's awesome design.

Thanks for displaying your work and Bob's. Lauding Mr. Lemke's work really called for a picture of his 1963 JELL-O Mickey Mantle variant photo; thanks for coming to my rescue. Ben, your work is top notch! You are correct; it would be fairly easy to fold into a box. Let's just say I personally would stress out trying to get the folds just right, knowing if I was off by much it would show.

Say, have you gotten through NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN? Would you care to convey your honest, gut-felt reactions to the author? If so, please email me at bfpowell2003@yahoo.com.

Last month my wife and I passed the exit for Huron on the way to Rapid City, and I thought of you.

Best regards, Ben. ---Brian Powell

[AustinMike]

Ben, those are very nice Jell-O displays. I definitely have to contact Bob and get them. I think he's also done a Post panel that I haven't gotten yet either.

My Mile High winnings finally came in today. I've attached pics of the front and back of the 1953 Stahl-Meyer. It is a beautiful card. It has a slight surface crease on the front running from the edge almost straight down through the "Y" and curving a little bit to the corner of Mick's right eye. It's only noticeable when held just so. I guess I've stared at it enough already that I don't even notice it anymore.

[AustinMike]

This is the other item I got in the Mile High auction. It came with the 1962 Alvarn Mantle Batting Tips booklet, so it must have been manufactured around that time.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

This is the other item I got in the Mile High auction. It came with the 1962 Alvarn Mantle Batting Tips booklet, so it must have been manufactured around that time.

Hey Mike,

It's part of the same packaging you just posted from your bat pickup I believe. And, nope, my wife got to go on the honeymoon I was very please my buddy sent this though as I love oddball stuff.

Chris

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Hey Mike,

It's part of the same packaging you just posted from your bat pickup I believe.

Chris

Yeah, sure enough, there it is. I guess that's an example of why I've never claimed to be the most observant person around.

[clydepepper]

1953-Bowman Color-59-MICKEY-MANTLE-PSA-7.jpg

1954-Dan-Dee-Potato-Chips-MICKEY-MANTLE-PSA-5.jpg

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

Ben, those are very nice Jell-O displays. I definitely have to contact Bob and get them. I think he's also done a Post panel that I haven't gotten yet either.

My Mile High winnings finally came in today. I've attached pics of the front and back of the 1953 Stahl-Meyer. It is a beautiful card. It has a slight surface crease on the front running from the edge almost straight down through the "Y" and curving a little bit to the corner of Mick's right eye. It's only noticeable when held just so. I guess I've stared at it enough already that I don't even notice it anymore.

Michael, absolutely fantastic card. Such a beautiful example. I congratulate you on a card that would be the highlight of most post war collections. You beat me out on this one, therefore you deserve it. Well done!!!!

[aconte]

This is a great Stahl Meyer Mantle. Pick of the year for me!

Tony

[RayBShotz]

Agreed. Its always amazing to see one.
Mick looks great in that image.
You need to get yourself one Tony.

[AustinMike]

Thanks all! This is definitely one of the highlights of my collection. For me, it goes up there with the '51 Bowman and the '60 Post. I don't have a '52 Topps or '59 Bazooka, otherwise they'd be there too. Maybe one of these days.

Ray, that's the same image used on '56 Jay Publishing photos and the photo that came in the late 50s Mantle Big League Baseball Game. It was probably used for other premiums also. But the colorized version on the baseball card does stand out from the rest. I agree, he does look great in the Stahl-Meyer image.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

My Mile High winnings finally came in today. I've attached pics of the front and back of the 1953 Stahl-Meyer. It is a beautiful card. It has a slight surface crease on the front running from the edge almost straight down through the "Y" and curving a little bit to the corner of Mick's right eye. It's only noticeable when held just so. I guess I've stared at it enough already that I don't even notice it anymore.

Mike, what a once "free prize"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the gorgeous scan you provided us, your Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle looks even better than it did on Mile High's web site during the auction. The rich tinted colors, the appearance, the peaceful happy portrait of Mickey, that Mantle is one mesmerizing gem!

Well done, mate.

The creasing you referenced is not visible to my eyes, as on many of the frankfurter package Stahlies, where the creasing is sometimes severe enough to break open the top layer of the picture.

Interesting. You and Dave made reference to your gem as a highlight of one's collection. I will always remember an old SCD Mr. Mint Alan Rosen phone auction back in 1988. He was offering a world class Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle, and he wrote, "A super Mantle collectible and to be the highlight of any Mantle collection." And this coming from the dealer who had purchased a couple years beforehand the monumental 1952 Topps high number and semi-high number case. The phrasing struck a chord with me, as it did not strike me as typical dealer spiel, though the write-up was succinct. By the late 80s, I was well aware of the vaunted Stahl-Meyers, but had no idea someone as esteemed as Mr. Mint regarded them so highly. True, the Mint Man had his legions of enemies, but the guy knew his cardborad very well. From the mid-80s on, I used to look at every page of those half-inch thick issues of SCD for the tougher regionals. Mostly crumb bums that were much worse than your respectable gem, Mike. This was a time when finds were happening frequently; STILL few Stahl-Meyer Franks came into the hobby!

In essence, there are lots and lots of different Mickey Mantles. Then, we have the Stahl-Meyer Franks.

So Mike, what were your thoughts when you got to hold it in your hand and stare at it for the first time?

Thanks for sharing your joy with us.

---Brian Powell

[Stonepony]

I feel I got this at a good price, i'm pleased. Here's hoping the New Year brings a lot of contributions to this thread from the Net54s
1957 mantle 2.jpg

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

I feel I got this at a good price, i'm pleased. Here's hoping the New Year brings a lot of contributions to this thread from the Net54s
Attachment 253901

don't get much better than that for eye appeal.....congrats

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Mike, what a once "free prize"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Mike, what were your thoughts when you got to hold it in your hand and stare at it for the first time?

Thanks for sharing your joy with us.

---Brian Powell

Hey Brian, sorry to take so long to respond.

I agree with you, it is amazing that something that was once a free prize is now so cherished. But, I suppose because they were free and basically "worthless" at the time, many did not survive. Which makes them so cherished today. The fact that it is a beautiful card simply enhances its allure.

When I opened the package and saw the card for the first time, my initial reaction was surprise. I should have known better, but for some reason I expected it to be the size of today's cards. I should have figured it would be the size of '52 Topps, but I didn't. So the size was very surprising. Then the colors really grabbed me. Around then I noticed that it is the same picture of Mick used in several Yankee photo packs, but the one on the card, because it is colorized, really stands out. It's kind of hard to describe what it's like to be holding something so cherished and something that you never thought you would ever own. Although, I must admit, not near as thrilling as holding my kids for the first time.

As far as sharing my joy here, where else am I going to share it? Just about everyone I know would think I'm crazy for spending that much money for a card that was once a free prize. A big thank-you to Leon and everyone here for letting me share my joy here.

[brian1961]

QUOTE OF AUSTINMIKE FROM 12/14/2016 / POST #486:
Hey Brian, sorry to take so long to respond.

I agree with you, it is amazing that something that was once a free prize is now so cherished. But, I suppose because they were free and basically "worthless" at the time, many did not survive. Which makes them so cherished today. The fact that it is a beautiful card simply enhances its allure.

When I opened the package and saw the card for the first time, my initial reaction was surprise. I should have known better, but for some reason I expected it to be the size of today's cards. I should have figured it would be the size of '52 Topps, but I didn't. So the size was very surprising. Then the colors really grabbed me. Around then I noticed that it is the same picture of Mick used in several Yankee photo packs, but the one on the card, because it is colorized, really stands out. It's kind of hard to describe what it's like to be holding something so cherished and something that you never thought you would ever own. Although, I must admit, not near as thrilling as holding my kids for the first time.

As far as sharing my joy here, where else am I going to share it? Just about everyone I know would think I'm crazy for spending that much money for a card that was once a free prize. A big thank-you to Leon and everyone here for letting me share my joy here.[/QUOTE]


Hey AustinMike! Sorry it took me so long to response to your wonderful re-telling of seeing your beautiful 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks for the first time. I relished your reflections on the card. I would have loved to have quoted you for the book. Your well-expressed thoughts are just the sort of colorful thing I tried to add to NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN.

Anyways, I'm glad you love your Stahl-Meyer. From the sound of things, you were in the middle of a decent dog fight for the card. I know you really didn't want to go that high, but as you reflect upon the circumstances that won you this key Mantle piece, it's no doubt reassuring you obviously were among a small group all trying hard to win it.

Merry Christmas! ----Brian Powell