1954 Topps Sports Illustrated “preview” cards??
 

“This is not the same card as the 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson. This is a sports illustrated preview card that is still very much authentic to 1954. Actually printed before the 1954 Topps and has sold for almost $1000 on Etsy.
”

Ummm.. come again?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F183402363542

Yes there are paper sheets of 54-like cards in a couple of early SI issues. Including a Mantle. I very much doubt the $1000 figure though. Generally, in my experience, they aren't considered all that desirable except maybe Mantle.

They were in the first edition of the magazine. I bought the whole magazine and a leather cover for only $100. Getting the second one next show since it has the black and white pages with the only 1954 "Topps" Mantle.

The second issue had only the Yankees cards including the cards that were not issued in the Topps regular set that year (like the Mantle). The first issue didn't have any Yankees represented.