People give particular cards the misnomer of being a rookie card all the time. Just because it is more popular doesn't make it his rookie card. Mantle is not the only example of this. T206 Wagner is another one that unlearned people call his rookie card. Shoot, I've even seen people call errantly call the '33 Goudey Ruth's RC and that's not even close.
With prewar collecting, there is some ambiguity with regard to whether a particular issue is considered a rookie "card", (ie. cabinet, postcard, team image, pins, magazine insert, etc.). The dates for prewar issues also aren't always as clear either, but for post war collecting, it isn't as gray. The 1951 Bowman is clearly Mickey's RC. I've seen the '52 be called the "Topps" RC since it is his first image on a Topps card, but even that is a bit of a stretch, imo.
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