What Do You Consider Mickey Mantle's RC?

[BCauley]

The subject line pretty much sums it up. Which do you consider his RC and more importantly, why?

[T205]

1951 Bowman, due to its his first cardboard appearence.

[ChiefBenderForever]

51 Bowman is his true RC, but given the choice I would take a 52 Topps, and not because of it's value but because it is such a good looking magical perfect card.

[MBMiller25]

51 Bowman is considered his rookie, and its the one I would want if I had my choice. I love the look of that card.

[doug.goodman]

Choice 1 - Blue
Choice 2 - Red

[BCauley]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Choice 1 - Blue
Choice 2 - Red

Believe me, I know this is ridiculous. I was on another forum and this was actually an issue. A very small group felt that the '52 is widely regarded as his RC. None of them care to explain why exactly beyond one person stating it's been considered "public opinion" for as long as he's been alive.

The earth was widely regarded as flat too.

[tonyk1975]

The 51 Bowman came first there fore is the true RC.

[BCauley]

Originally Posted by tonyk1975

The 51 Bowman came first there fore is the true RC.

On top of that, he played in 94 games in '51 and had over 300 at bats.

[ChiefBenderForever]

If you say Mantle RC the first thing that will pop into 90% of peoples head is 52 Topps.

[HRBAKER]

Well since there really is no such thing as a Rookie Card, it merely being a hobby construct. If it is defined as I have always heard as the first appearance on a "card" as a major leaguer then how could it be argued that it is anything other than the '51B between the two. Now I would rather have the Topps but that does make it the Rookie Card.

[terjung]

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.

[fkw]

There is also a 1951 Wheaties of him, the test issue.

1951 Bowman is Mantles Rookie Card. 1952 is the 1st year Topps Made Baseball Cards. I have a question how many years is a player considered a Rookie regardless of the card.