the 55 bowman mantle...

[Den*nis O*Brien]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I wasn't around in 1955 but I remember growing up with some older TVs that still had the nobs you had to turn by hand, including a black and white one at my grand parents place. My aunt even had one missing the nobs. We had to use a set of pliers to change the channel.

You bet. Those plastic parts that went over the metal "stud" were not very durable. The pliers on top of the set were very standard for the era. Thank you for sharing that detail. With the fine cabinetry associated with this stuff many peeps have come to call this "Talking Furniture". I know we are getting a bit off topic and I apologize for that.

[Harliduck]

I love the 55...I have a SGC 5 example with decent centering for my Mantles and a couple not graded. He looks so young and it's a great pose. I am partial to the 55 Bowmans though as I had some poor examples as a kid of some commons when it was really difficult to get your hands on anything that old. Nostalgic for me.


My worst Mantle BY FAR is the 1967 Topps. I think the 67's are one of the most popular set designs of the 60s, and that card is so dissapointing. The background is even ugly...terrible card. How much do you think the value would be if you take 1967 Topps card 277 Steve Whitaker and imagine Mantle in that pose and background. What a Yankee image...love that card. I believe the 65 Topps has a premium value due to pose, had the Whitaker pose been used in 67 I would guess the card to have twice the value. My theory anyhow.

[Johnny630]

John O I totally agree with you. The 67 Mantle Card is awful :-( 65 and 60 are my two favorite Mantle cards in the 60's, 66 a close third imo looks wise.

[ALR-bishop]

I only did the set to finish the run, but kind of like it. The umpire cards may be unique but we're a pain since they are high #s. The set was a last ditch effort by Bowman and I think they hoped the TV format would become a draw. However, in 1955 there were not many households with color TVs.

There are 2 recurring print defect versions of the 67 Mantle

[vintagewhitesox]

Never was a huge fan of the design of the set. But as someone mentioned, the Umps in the set are cool.

[Beatles Guy]

Love the '55 Bowman Mantle. Probably love the '53 a little more, but still a classic card. Bowman did a much better job with Mantle than Topps did.

[aconte]

I like the 55 bowman too, especially if it is centered and with strong
corners. I got a fellow board member to agree with me and now he is
following my lead and putting it on his want list.