1952 Topps Baseball #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie PSA 7 (oc)

• Sold For: $15,405
• Year: 1952
• Auction: 2013 February
• Lot #: 1
• Auction Category: Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

A standard of collecting excellence. Acknowledged as “the greatest prospect ever” by multiple sources including Joe DiMaggio and Branch Rickey, the switch-hitting Mickey Charles Mantle refused to wilt under the intense scrutiny of the “Big Apple.” Despite early growing pains and a return trip to the minors, within years Mantle would be a Triple Crown winner and one of the most feared sluggers in baseball history. With a determined gaze, the youthful Oklahoman is showcased on this matchless 1952 Topps #311 rookie card. Graded NM 7 with an (oc) qualifier by PSA, this breathtaking crease-free depiction is heralded by a crisp perimeter, precise surface registration and bold color detailing. Right justified centering does not adversely impact the captivating image. The reverse, on which Mantle is “heralded as Joe DiMaggio’s successor,” is clean with crisp red-and-white text. Undoubtedly, this bona fide Mantle rookie is rightly esteemed by legions of collectors as the "holy grail" of the post-war hobby.