1951 Wheaties Premium Photo Mickey Mantle

[RaidonCollects]

There have been a few threads here in the past about this card. I believe the card was issued at some point between late 1952 and 1955. A board member posted the original photo used for the card which had a note saying the picture was taken during the 1952 World Series, which is likely since I'm 99% sure Ebbets field is in the background. The only non-Hall of famer in the set is Al Rosen who was the 1953 AL MVP, so that could pinpoint the issue date between late 1953 and 1955. However, I have yet to see any evidence that can 100% date this issue to a specific year.

I'm writing this quite quickly so sorry for any grammar or spelling errors.

Hope some of this info helps,

Owen

[Timbegs]

I already saw this one below from 2009. Fabulous read. Many excellent contributions and theories but sort of light on facts - apologies if anyone is offended by this statement when it comes to actual issue date. After reading it, I agree that it is highly probable that it came out in 1952 or later.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=175675

[Bestdj777]

It's a 1951 issue per the main grading companies and that is good enough for me .

(In reality, it's pretty conclusively not from that year). Probably 1953 or later.

[Zach Wheat]

The original link to the Getty photo, discussed in the 2 major threads on the 1951 Wheaties Premium Mantle is here (Click the right arrow, 4th photo):

Getty Photo

The photo was dated “1/1/55” and it was later concluded that Getty's dating of the photo was incorrect. The original photo was taken in Oct of 1952 (see below). In addition, they speculated that the pinstripes were added to the photo.

Z

[Zach Wheat]

See the reverse of the image, which indicates this photo was taken 10/6/52 at Ebbets Field.

[Timbegs]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

See the reverse of the image, which indicates this photo was taken 10/6/52 at Ebbets Field.

Yeah, I got tons of info from your earlier thread link (above).

Thank you very much!

[Timbegs]

I wanted to add an update to the thread but also not overdo it, still being a new guy and all. Here's where we're at:

The card lot that I won arrived last week. All 4 items look pretty nice in hand and obviously I immediately took a closer look at the Wheaties card. I guess card is a bit of a misnomer, as it is more photo than card, but I consider it a card (and I have the microphone so YOU WILL LISTEN! - Robbie Hart ). Anyway, the corners seemed a little rounded - not too bad - and it seemingly had no creases (no lab but good eyesight and a small LED flashlight with a dark basement). And then all of a sudden I realized that I have absolutely no idea how to grade it since it is unlike any card I have ever handled. As a card, I would call it a hopeful '4' but I really don't know if the standards I am applying hold any water. Like I said, it's more photo than card and its 5x7 size and lack of comparable cards I've ever handled kind of leaves me up in the air. I will stress that I truly don't care about the grade it receives; it's rarity* and it's image - he looks like a high school senior - more than do it for me. This is probably the closest thing I'll ever have to a rookie card for my Mickey collection as I am way too cheap. Lastly, according to my calculations and tracking, I should get a receipt confirm email that it has arrived at SGC at some point today. I will post again when the card is finally home to me again, hopefully by middle of next week...

*I'll mention again, I would love to see other people's copies - graded or ungraded - for the point of both comparison AND drool inducement. In my research, I know some people on here have one (or more) and I'm curious if they know more about the withertos and whyfores of how their scale is applied to this type of issue.