1951 Wheaties Premiums

[nolemmings]

I don't mean to be pedantic here but the wording Legendary used suggested that the issuer produced the cards prior to actually signing a contract and then after they could not consummate an appropriate contract, halted production, thus the rarity.

I didn't take it as pedantic and wouldn't care if you were. I somewhat agree with your explanation, although I took the auction description to mean not that they had halted production, but that they completed production and had to delay release pending a signed contract. I say this because I was not aware that the Mantle photo was conspicuously scarcer than the others--I thought they were all scarce "test" issues with only the Cousy, Kramer and Hogan (plus maybe Rizzuto) being tougher. I stand corrected if that's not the case.

Anyway, I wasn't very clear in my last post when I said they may have been issued in 1952. Since we know the Mantle could not have been even printed until October of that year at the very earliest and given the time/process of obtaining rights, etc. it was likely later, it would seem that these premiums could have been issued over multiple years, commencing in either 1951 or, more likely, IMO, beginning in 1952 and stretching into at least 1953.

I am by no means an expert on Wheaties; indeed I don't even collect them except I have four of the 6 unfolded mini-boxes from '51 and 2-3 of the cut cards from 1952. I would hope those who do collect or who are old enough to remember can help here. Seems convenient that the cards were issued in 12 series (or were there more?)--that would line up to a new series being issued each month during 1952. Maybe one premium was associated with each series, as there appear to have been 12 such premiums if you include the Hogan, Kramer and Cousy. Maybe the premiums were to be a redemption promotion that got scrapped. I do not know what evidence there is that these were ever a true "test" issue as is often acclaimed. I have far more questions than answers, but wanted to throw out some ideas.

[MikeGarcia]

.......lower right corner , in the border : '' MOSS PHOTO , N.Y. ''
.......the '' MICKEY MANTLE '' was put on before the final finishing step ; it's inside and under the strong gloss .
..... Neither I nor the seller knew what we were dealing with when I bought it .
...8 x 10 black and white but I had left the scanner setting on '' color photo '' and tweaked the contrast to bring out any details...... NO pinstripes .
.....you guys are awesome .

[Zach Wheat]

Guys,

This side of the board has been too quiet lately and motions have been made to invite Adrian back - with the caveat that he can only post on this board.

I was doing some additional fact checking, etc. and came across information I thought might be useful. The inclusion of Betty Schalow, the lone non-baseball player in the set seemed a little odd and I assumed there must be a connection. It appears that Schalow was a popular skater in the early '50's with the Ice Follies. The Ice Follies was a new ice skating production that toured the US, featuring, in part, a solo skating routine of the single Ms. Schalow. At the time, the Ice Follies were competing for business with the Ice Capades. I came across an auction for one of her Wheaties Premium cards. The auction description indicated that the cards were "salesman's samples" as explained by the seller. The seller of the card, coincidentally, was a salesman from General Mills.

Although information on Schalow was not easy to come by, the Ice Follies annual programs included quite a bit of information on her. She was covered fairly extensively in the newspapers in cities where she performed. An article indicated she was born in St. Paul, MN. Coincidentally, this is close to General Mills headquarters, presumed issuer of the set.

I think this kind of brings us full circle. There seems to be too much evidence affirming the set was issued by General Mills, not only due to the inclusion of Schalow, but that this card was part of a salesman sample of cards for General Mills; further, these cards were either produced over several years or at least some of them post-Oct. 1952. I think more than likely the set was issued later than 1952.


Z Wheat

[bn2cardz]

BUMPED THREAD

With the increased prices in 1951 Mantle cards, I thought I would look into the "1951 Wheaties" Mantle.

Then I stumbled upon this thread.

There seems to be enough evidence that shows that this premium may not really date to 1951. So without any evidence dating this item to 1951 (not alone any other year) why isn't this advertised as a 1951-1955 Item or something similar to show that the actual date has not been identified?

Is this a case where money talks? That people aren't going to change the identification of the item because it would sell for less?

[orly57]

I'm glad you brought this thread back after so many years. A few months ago I almost bought one of these "1951 Wheaties." As I always do before a decent-sized purchase, I read everything I could on the subject. This very thread is the sole reason I didn't spend 4-figures on the card. After reading the arguments posted, I am extremely wary about this card. With the photo being taken in 1952 and General Mills not having any info on it, I simply will not spend that kind of money on it. The theory that these may have been "planted" in the market 20 years ago makes enough sense for me to pass on this issue.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by orly57

I'm glad you brought this thread back after so many years. A few months ago I almost bought one of these "1951 Wheaties." As I always do before a decent-sized purchase, I read everything I could on the subject. This very thread is the sole reason I didn't spend 4-figures on the card. After reading the arguments posted, I am extremely wary about this card. With the photo being taken in 1952 and General Mills not having any info on it, I simply will not spend that kind of money on it. The theory that these may have been "planted" in the market 20 years ago makes enough sense for me to pass on this issue.

Right. I take it for granted that the research has been done and the years established on items. I had been doing research and ran across this thread a few months ago. Then as I saw prices going up for 1951 items, it seemed to me that someone else may benefit from this thread. Even if in the end they felt this could have been issued in 1951, at least they have been educated.

[pawpawdiv9]

For reference reasons: Added pics of TYPE 1 PHOTO (auctioning off by SCP March 2016)

Lot #736:
10/6/1952 MICKEY MANTLE ORIGINAL PSA/DNA TYPE 1 PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY DON WINGFIELD BEFORE WORLD SERIES GAME 6 (HILLERICH & BRADSBY LOA)









Bidding



It's one of the most famous Mantle images ever shot, the work of renowned Yankees team photographer Don Wingfield, whose stamp appears on reverse. Wingfield's imagery has appeared in Life and Look magazines, innumerable team publications and even a variety of period trading cards. This particular shot, snapped at Ebbets Field during the 1952 World Series, was utilized for the Mantle representation in the 1951 Wheaties set. This apparent anachronistic impossibility would indicate that the Wheaties set was a multi-year issue, and one that utilized a bit of pre-Photoshop trickery as the Mick's road grays were lightened and pinstriped for a home field appearance, the Ebbets Field background eliminated in the process.
The black & white photo of Mantle in a batting pose was taken before Game 6 of the 1952 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Trailing 3 games to 2 in the series and nursing a 2-1 lead going into the top of the 8th, Mantle blasted a solo shot to give the Yankees the insurance run that proved to be the difference as they won the possible elimination game 3-2. The Yanks went on to defeat the Dodgers in the deciding Game 7. It's among the most iconic images of a young Mickey Mantle from the day he saved the 1952 World Series.

Short of a couple corner bends confined almost entirely to the white borders, the 8" by 10" image presents flawlessly, with secondary stamping on reverse attributing the first generation print to the collection of leading bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby. A 2004 letter of provenance from John A. Hillerich IV confirms this history, and encapsulation from PSA/DNA assures Type 1 status.

LOA from Hillerich & Bradsby Co. PSA/DNA Type 1 cert# 1P04862



http://catalog.scpauctions.com/10_6_...-LOT34195.aspx