The discussion of what constituted Mickey Mantle's rookie card historically has had a strong undercurrent of which card was more important and valuable.
In the early days of the organized adult hobby, prices were going up by the month. Originally, adult collectors tried to collect every baseball card ever printed. Younger collectors such as I were quickly priced out of the market to do that. So, many of us resorted to collecting several particular sets, one or several favorite players, an era, or even type card collecting.
One of the theme collecting niches that sprung up was rookie card collecting. Now, keep in mind, a player's rookie card is simply his first appearance on a baseball card, or some other item if he did not appear on a card in his first year. A rookie card does not mean his scarcest card, and has nothing to do with rarity per se. The ONLY reason that the price increased was because dealers soon picked up on this popular collecting trend, and jacked up their prices for a given player's rookie card. One of the first dealer's to do that was Larry Fritsch. The player's photo or the card design might be as ugly as a dead tree, but if it was his first card---viola, a bonanza for the dealer. Simple as that.
Now, the example of Mickey Mantle is an interesting one. His 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps are both very attractive, compellingly so. Often, the arguments raged because a given collector had one of them, but not the other. Also, it became apparent, from the old law of supply and demand, that the 1952 Topps Mantle was much more desirable, and its value broke away from the 1951 Bowman. Bowman owners felt insulted, bewildered and rather insecure over the idea that their actual rookie card of Mick was falling behind the 1952 Topps. They pounded the table with the absurd idea that the rookie card must naturally be the more significant, the more desirable, and the more valuable.
Topps owners just smiled and essentially said, "I bought what I wanted and I love what I have." Bowman owners fumed and spat and sputtered, "but you can't feel that way, you're supposed to like the Bowman rookie more!"
Then, of course, there were those who purchased both, enjoyed both for what they were, and stuck plugs in their ears to enjoy both Micks and keep out the noise of the arguers.
I made my choice many years ago, and never regretted it a minute. It matters not which of them I chose. Besides, I had to part with it to raise money for a home. Believe you me, I miss that Mickey terribly, but sometimes there are things in life that are more important than cards. I must confess though that I did not part with all my Mickey Mantle cards and coins. I could not bring myself to do that.
In the mean time, the 1951 Bowman is Mickey Mantle's only rookie card. The 1952 Topps is his most valuable gum card, period. Then again, the population reports only reinforced the cause for the 1952 Topps. If any more major finds occur, that would definitely change the value of that particular Mantle.
Cheers. ---Brian Powell
