[brian1961]

This has been a most fascinating thread to me. It confirms what I have long suspected about a certain set.

Given that the elegant and regal posed photograph of Mickey Mantle was snapped by Donald W. Wingfield of The Sporting News on October 2, 1952, this was prior to the second game of the great 1952 World Series. This contest was held at Ebbets Field, and saw the Bombers clobber the Bums, 7 to 1. Mickey went 3 for 5.

Naturally, since Don was taking pictures for the illustrious Sporting News for their World Series coverage, the publication was creating up-to-the-minute photographs. Mickey is obviously wearing his 1952 road gray uniform, and the uniform also naturally does not have the 1951 patch trumpeting the 50th anniversary of the American League.

Now, why the uniform does not have the patch representing the 50th anniversary of the New York Yankees organization, this I could not say and would like to know.

Be that as it may, the photograph hails from the 1952 World Series. Among the obvious conclusions and/or repercussions of the research of this photo is that the 1951 Wheaties premium set is either an outright fake produced by enthusiasts in the 1970s; or, in perhaps more probability, the earliest date for the Wheaties premium set would of a certainty be 1953.

I'm not trying to stir up trouble, mind you. However, the date of the photograph presents some glaring concrete evidence.

What are your thoughts and reactions, collecting compadres? --Brian Powell