When the talk is of early Mickey Mantle cards, the focus is often on either his 1952 Topps, a series that is the stuff of legend, or the 1951 Bowman Mantle rookie card, which marks his first-ever appearance on a mainstream baseball card. However, you’d be hard pressed to find a more attractive card these days—for a variety of reasons—than The Mick’s 1952 Bowman issue. This week, we are offering collectors the chance to acquire a high quality example of this card at a grade that is within the budgets of most. Our PSA 6.5 copy is a very attractive card with flaws that are visible only upon close inspection. It would fit well into any mid or semi-high grade set. PSA’s Joe Orlando has called the 1952 Bowman Mantle “underappreciated”, noting the gap in value between his double-printed 1952 Topps and this card, which was issued in the same year. The card is part of a set that many long-time collectors view as one of the most beautiful ever created. It was the last of the smallish Bowman sets. In ’53, the company began to mimic Topps, with bolder, larger cards. Complete with a facsimile autograph from the young outfielder, the artist’s rendering of a young Mantle is a perfect reflection of the era. Mantle looks away from the camera, poised with a slight smile; his arms crossed as if he’s observing a pitcher he’ll soon take downtown. The back of the card offers a glimpse of Mantle’s first season, referring to his call up during the 1951 campaign, when he flashed some of the promise that would become his hallmark throughout the 1950s and early 60s. It is continually regarded as one of The Mick’s best cards, regardless of year. This particular example ranks firmly in the upper quadrant of all of the 1,960 1952 Bowman Mantles that PSA has graded over the past 20 years. The demand for Mantle cards remains higher than ever and with high end examples of his earliest cards continuing to rise in price, some out of the reach of average collectors, this one remains an outstanding value and probably a wise buy for the long haul as more collectors look to buy.
