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

[Tomi]

Long time lurker finally joined. I collect oddball Mantle items and have been admiring everyone's collections that they post so I will post a couple of my favorites that I have. Looking forward to talking to you all. You can follow my progress on the PSA Master Set under Curious Goods.
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[Tomi]

Does anyone have any info on this item. I cannot find anything on it anywhere.

[bswhiten]

Originally Posted by Tomi

Does anyone have any info on this item. I cannot find anything on it anywhere.

Nice items. It is a premium photo that came with the Bat Master Kit. Mine is the 69 version...I guess the 65 didn't have a border. I have two and i thought the other one was trimmed but i guess it could be 65.

[bswhiten]

69 and 65 I guess...

[sflayank]

Just waiting for the 3rd red variety to get graded

[Tomi]

Man that's impressive.

[Tomi]

Originally Posted by bswhiten

Nice items. It is a premium photo that came with the Bat Master Kit. Mine is the 69 version...I guess the 65 didn't have a border. I have two and i thought the other one was trimmed but i guess it could be 65.

Ben, Do you know if PSA will grade these? I would love to purchase the 1964 and crossover to PSA but I don't want to wait weeks for them to reply. I see no info whatsoever on PSA's website about either Batmaster Premium and no pop report exists for either.
Thanks

[bswhiten]

Tomi, I doubt PSA would grade.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by sflayank

just waiting for the 3rd red variety to get graded

wow!

1952 Topps Mantle. Never thought I'd own one, especially not one this nice

[AustinMike]

Tomi, welcome to the fray. Those are some nice items. Three of them are still on my want list.

Tomi/Ben, there are two versions of the Bat Master premium as you've discovered (I learned that from Chris several months ago). As you also know, the borderless version is the earlier version.

Larry, very sweet collection! Congratulations!

Dan, Both versions are still on my want list and probably will be for a long, long time. Congratulations!!!

[thecomebacker]

So nice Dan. My dream card right there!

[AustinMike]

A couple of off-beat Mantle items I hadn't seen before.

The top two are the front and back of a cut from a National Sports Council mailer (approximately 5-7/16" by 7-5/8", thick paper or thin cardboard). I've seen a lot of it Mantle NSC items, but not this before. Has anyone seen, or know of, the complete mailer?

The bottom two are the front and back of a possible premium from Brookfield Clothes (approximately 2-7/16" by 2-13/16", cardboard similar to a baseball card). I have found a couple of ads for Brookfield Clothes from 1956 that use the picture on the premium (different cropping than what's on the premium). The card does have an old, musty smell. Even though it looks old and smells old, I'm still not 100% sure about its authenticity. The type on the back has me perplexed. Was Mantle involved with Brookfield in 1954? Why would the date be put on the back? Why would it just say "Brookfield" and not "Brookfield Clothes?" Has anyone seen one of these before?

[bswhiten]

Never seen either one of those Mike. Like the photo and "You can do it, too" phrase in the first one. The second one looks a bit suspect to me. Artificially aged?

[h2oya311]

need some help with this Mantle photo/card. Can you guys pinpoint the date? Do you agree with RMY Auctions on the date? Is it a team issue?

https://rmyauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=43516

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

need some help with this Mantle photo/card. Can you guys pinpoint the date? Do you agree with RMY Auctions on the date? Is it a team issue?

https://rmyauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=43516

Derek, the photograph may have been taken in 1951, but I'm not sure about that (I can't see his left sleeve to see if it has the 50th anniversary patch for the American League on it). However, that doesn't mean the photograph was printed in 1951. That 8" by 10" photograph was part of two team issued photo sets that I have. I think it was included in the 1956 and 1960 photo sets. It could have been issued in others as well. It's a nice photograph even if it wasn't printed in 1951.

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by bswhiten

Never seen either one of those Mike. Like the photo and "You can do it, too" phrase in the first one. The second one looks a bit suspect to me. Artificially aged?

Yes, it definitely has that artificially aged look, especially with that stain on the back. After researching and seeing that Mick was part of the Brookfield Clothes advertisement campaign in 1956, I decided to gamble on it. I was pleasantly surprised when I got it and smelled it (that's a sad/disgusting image - sniffing mail ). It definitely has an old, musty smell to it. But even though I know Mick did help hawk Brookfield Clothes around that time frame and the card does smell old, I can't get past the artificially aged look it has. I was hoping that someone else might have seen one before or seen a period advertisement where it was offered as a premium. Until then, I'm leaning towards not a true period piece ... but still hopeful.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

Derek, the photograph may have been taken in 1951, but I'm not sure about that (I can't see his left sleeve to see if it has the 50th anniversary patch for the American League on it). However, that doesn't mean the photograph was printed in 1951. That 8" by 10" photograph was part of two team issued photo sets that I have. I think it was included in the 1956 and 1960 photo sets. It could have been issued in others as well. It's a nice photograph even if it wasn't printed in 1951.

Thanks Mike - I was leaning towards a later Team Issue as well, but would welcome other responses if anyone else has seen this one. I love the image, but I’m skeptical of the dating of the photo and whether it was issued that year!

[Bestdj777]

I’ve taken a hiatus from baseball cards to raise my kids and focus on my art collection (if anyone ever has any questions or wants me to weigh in I’m accessible by PM), but it’s nice to log back in and see so many awesome regionals. Mike, I love the mailer.

The second card is strange. Seeing it, my gut reaction is that there is about a 95% chance it is fake—I saw a handful of these types of items pop up a few months ago with the same typing on the back and the same artificial looking aging. What One thing that doesn’t make sense though is that this is the same image Brookfield used, so if they are fake someone must have done good research. But then why would they mess up the year?

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by sflayank

Just waiting for the 3rd red variety to get graded

Nice stuff Larry. Is there a gold Mantle? I’m assuming your run is complete now with that red one? An amazing accomplishment.

[sflayank]

The only confirmed one I dont have is silver
I believe a gold exists and also the other empty spot
For a lime green correct l or r
Since the the lime correct l-r exists I assume that one exists also
I know where the silver is
The other 2 are unknown at this point

[JUrsaner]

Just sent in most of my high-grade Mantle cards this week for consignment, which I have mixed feelings over. Keeping this one though...

-- https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwndvaoola...RossMantle.jpg

[IgnatiusJReilly]

Originally Posted by Gobucsmagic74

1952 Topps Mantle. Never thought I'd own one, especially not one this nice

Wow!


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[Elberson]

I picked this up at the beginning of September to finish off the last card needed for the 62 set

[quitcrab]

Picked this up-thought it was kind of cool. Trying to post a picture.

[quitcrab]

New pic

[quitcrab]

What year is the post card?number 6.jpg

[quitcrab]

Anyone know what year the post card is in the above post ?

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

Anyone know what year the post card is in the above post ?

According to the William Wilen book it is 1953. Most other things I've seen credit it as 1950s. I'd be very surprised if it was printed in only one year.

[quitcrab]

Thank you for the info Austin Mike.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

According to the William Wilen book it is 1953. Most other things I've seen credit it as 1950s. I'd be very surprised if it was printed in only one year.

Do you know if the other McCarthy postcards are listed with later years in the guide? I have a BVG graded copy of another variation that lists the year as 1960-1969. I recall the one shown in this thread being earlier, but just never got a good sense of the dates for any of them.

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Do you know if the other McCarthy postcards are listed with later years in the guide? I have a BVG graded copy of another variation that lists the year as 1960-1969. I recall the one shown in this thread being earlier, but just never got a good sense of the dates for any of them.

Hey Chris, long time no talk. The Wilen book lists the other JD McCarthy post cards as 1960. I have an old copy of the SCD and after a quick look, I see it has a general JD McCarthy listing that says McCarthy produced post cards for many players from the 1950s to the 1980s. I get the impression that there isn't necessarily a single printing date for many, if not all, of the post cards. It also says that haven't he died, his "negatives were sold into the hobby making it theoretically possible for many cards to be reproduced."

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

Hey Chris, long time no talk. The Wilen book lists the other JD McCarthy post cards as 1960. I have an old copy of the SCD and after a quick look, I see it has a general JD McCarthy listing that says McCarthy produced post cards for many players from the 1950s to the 1980s. I get the impression that there isn't necessarily a single printing date for many, if not all, of the post cards. It also says that haven't he died, his "negatives were sold into the hobby making it theoretically possible for many cards to be reproduced."

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the info. I’d imagine there was a pretty substantial and long run of all of them, although the Razor was more difficult from what I can recall, supporting the theory it’s an older piece. I owe you and Brian an email. Life has been a little hectic these days. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by JUrsaner

Just sent in most of my high-grade Mantle cards this week for consignment, which I have mixed feelings over. Keeping this one though...

-- https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwndvaoola...RossMantle.jpg

Beauty, Jason!

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by bswhiten

Nice items. It is a premium photo that came with the Bat Master Kit. Mine is the 69 version...I guess the 65 didn't have a border. I have two and i thought the other one was trimmed but i guess it could be 65.

I recently picked up a third version. It is mostly borderless. For comparison, I've also attached the other two versions. This one is similar to the one without borders, but the view is shifted a little to the right (you can see more of the person on the pitcher's mound and less of the folks on the left edge).

The one with the slight border on top (on the left) came from the box with red sleeves. The one with no borders came from the box with the black sleeves.

[quitcrab]

Two from my collection.

[bswhiten]

Nice pickup Scott! And great nice detective work Mike.

Has anyone else noticed that most of Kelly’s SCD Mantle Series articles are no longer available on SCD’s webpage? I’m guessing no one downloaded them either?

Ben

[quitcrab]

Here is one that I am sure many Topps Mantle collectors have never seen. Robert Edwards Auction house has never seen it or had it in an auction in the last 20 years (searching the online archives). This was inserted into the wax box to help promote "Baseball Press On"... which we now refer to as 1965 Topps Transfers. This little ad would be displayed by the box of cards in the store. Mantle is pictured on the jacket in the front right. Not many of these could have survived. Does anyone have any other Box Topper inserts to promote special inserts? Would love to see some.
Scott

[brian1961]

Last August 16-17, Heritage conducted their "Summer Platinum Night Auction". Among their marquee items was a spectacular 1959 Bazooka Mickey Mantle, graded SGC 88 NM/MT. Would someone with a Heritage membership kindly look up what that piece went for, including the buyer's premium? Also, how many bids were there? What was the minimum bid?

Thanks in advance. Cheers. --- Brian Powell

[Joe Hunter]

Brian, the card went for 18,000. There were 20 bidders. I could not see the opening bid.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by Joe Hunter

Brian, the card went for 18,000. There were 20 bidders. I could not see the opening bid.

Thank you for your time, Joe. Just as I wrote in my book, the people in Kansas City are friendly and helpful.

Frankly, I was surprised that magnificent Mantle went for so little. Few specimens get a numerical grade, and this was ultra high grade for the issue. I will never know how high the winning bidder was prepared to go, though, as my dear wife has reminded me on a few occasions.

Regardless, thanks again Joe for your help to me. I wish you the very best, sir. ---Brian Powell

[hcv123]

sold for 24K in August 2017. It currently resides in a PSA 3 holder in the #1 Mantle master set:

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball/1...ription-071515

Sadly I was the under bidder when it sold in 2010 for 6K

[lowpopper]

[thecomebacker]

Perfect Mick Auto!

[bswhiten]

Picked up a nice Holiday Inn ceramic ashtray to go with some similar items.

[mickey7mantle7]

starting back up (again) lol...

[GaryPassamonte]

This one goes back to the 2009 National in Cleveland. Leon was involved in the transaction as a reference. Maybe you remember, Leon?

[packs]

My favorite Micks:

[AustinMike]

Ben, nice ceramic Mantle Holiday Inn ash tray. I hadn't seen that before.

Attached is a picture of a 1962 Pan American Photo Mantle/Maris jigsaw puzzle I got recently. It's 8" by 10".

[bswhiten]

Never seen that puzzle before either Mike. Nice.
Picked up the 1960 Action Pictures NYY set with Mick.