Type 1 early Mantle photo sold for $2,247

[brian1961]

I found this pretty interesting. An eBay vendor sold a Type 1 photo of the famous portrait of Mickey Mantle, the one appearing in the official New York Yankees yearbooks and World Series programs from 1951 to at least 1953. Its provenance hailed from the Harry M. Stevens Collection. The photo's condition was excellent, and there were all sorts of documentation and printer's instructions on the reverse. Fascinating.

As many of you know, this image was the same used to create Mantle's 1953 - 1955 Stahl-Meyer Franks cards, the Briggs Meats issue of 1954, and the 1954 Dan - Dee snack chips issue. I wish I could ask the winning bidder, as well as the serious underbidding warriors, what was their prime motivation for pursuing the piece. The rookie picture of Mick itself? The correlation to the Yank yearbooks/World Series programs? Or, the connection to the rare, sought-after regionals?

There were many, many watchers, and the bids just kept pouring in during the final day. It closed at $2,247.

Though I am not a photo collector, the connection to the regionals made this very, very intriguing. Just thought this might interest Mantle collectors, particularly those who also relish his regionals. --Brian Powell

[Bestdj777]

I was watching this for a bit. Outside the focus of my collection but an awesome image nonetheless.

[Stonepony]

Wow, I wished I'd seen it..

[CW]

Link to auction

Gorgeous photo, and although I'm not even a newbie in the field, I think the high price was due to a confluence of a few factors...

1. early, recognizable, type I Mickey Mantle photo
2. connection to the regional cards and yearbooks, as mentioned
3. Henry Yee auction
4. described as being a "one-of-a-kind" exemplar
5. originated from the Stevens collection

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by CW

Link to auction

Gorgeous photo, and although I'm not even a newbie in the field, I think the high price was due to a confluence of a few factors...

1. early, recognizable, type I Mickey Mantle photo
2. connection to the regional cards and yearbooks, as mentioned
3. Henry Yee auction
4. described as being a "one-of-a-kind" exemplar
5. originated from the Stevens collection

I agree with all of the above. Henry's auctions have been getting a lot more publicity over the last several years. I really don't collect photo's but have considered it due to the amount & quality of photo's Henry seems to bring up every auction.

I would have an interest in this Mantle pic either as a photo collector or as a Mantle collector as it is a truly iconic photo. However, I was not the winner.

Z Wheat

[pawpawdiv9]

Yep I saw this at Henry Yee.
Did anyone notice the 'Cobb" sliding Type I as well?
Sold for $ 1,725.02
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INCREDIBLE-1...vip=true&rt=nc

[GoldenAge50s]

The Mantle pic I use for my avatar was the back cover of the 1953 Dell Annual. I don't think I've ever seen the photo ever used since!

Has anyone ever seen it anywhere else?

[mybestbretts]

The Ted Williams photo was awesome also. Used for his baseball cards

[mybestbretts]

Fred, great photo.

[brian1961]

Fred, I very much appreciated your posting an enlarged view of your avatar image of Mickey Mantle. I've noticed it often, and wondered where it came from. Now I know. I agree with you, the picture seems unique; I do not recall seeing it on anything else. Mickey Mantle's smile would melt your heart. This image of a very young and intent Mr. Mantle concentrating on something is moving, too.

We all have imaginations. Mick's expression says to me he's in the dugout looking at the pitcher who just struck him out. He's in a competitive rage. His infamous glare of hate. Studying the pitcher, thinking about what he threw him, Mick decides, "he gives me that same pitch again, I'm gonna hit it where his head is, and he'll swallow his tobacco chaw as he ducks for his life!!!!!!!"

It's fun to envision our heroes in action! Anyway, thanks again Fred for posting your Mick pix. ---Brian

[GoldenAge50s]

Well, now I'm real glad I posted! Didn't expect much reaction but it would be super nice to have someone say they have the original!

Glad you guys enjoyed it!

[ALR-bishop]

There has been a Topps Vault negative up on ebay for some time of a later photo at a much higher price. I have the 67 Mantle Disc on an uncut sheet. I also have his 68 Plak, and while you can recognize the photo in the checklist card, I do not think anyone can "recognize" it in the plak itself

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11021...xe=exe,ext=ext