1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle Rookie Card Help

[Diablo]

Thank you @Nicedocter and @thecomebacker
Thank you @swarmee - I'm not looking to pawn or sell this card and I appreciate the help you shared.

@Bestdj777 - The "aging" is not artificial. But I guess I can understand how one may THINK it's artificial by looking at it.

@irv, I totally understand where you're coming from. I planned to come back to utilize the forum. In fact, I find this forum extremely useful for collectors. Eventually, I'll block the noise and the people who assume I'm "artificially" making cards or creating a story... really?

Yet, I can also see why newbies don't return because some people like @1952boyntoncollector, @albb and @Bestdj777 assume I'm making this up, so rather welcoming me to the forum and share some advice and tips (as others have), they decide to bully newbies around - Why would anyone want to return?

I came to this forum to first be welcomed and secondly get some tips and guidance, not for people like @1952boyntoncollector, @albb and @Bestdj777 to think I'm making up a story or try to "age" a baseball card. As I stated in my original post, I don't plan on selling the card (real or fake) because of the sentimental value it holds.

Also, I didn't feel it was anyone's business, but I guess I have to explain the WHOLE story to@1952boyntoncollector, @albb, and @Bestdj777 or they may think I'm making stuff up. This card was given to my mom and me from a cousin who was tragically killed back in 1992 at the age of 20 years old on the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Here's some advice from someone who could possibly be one of your sons - Words matter, our tongue has the power and strength to build or to destroy. And people should NEVER assume someone's story and bash them, just because there may have been phony posts started in the past.

@hcv123- Thank you! Some people feel good when they're punks behind a computer. Regardless of real or fake, I'm keeping the card, and I appreciate the advice.

Again, thank you for those who have shared your inputs and advice.

[ALR-bishop]

Reprints of the 51 Bowman set have been around since at least 1986 when the Card Collector's Company produced some, but CCC's did state reprints on the back initially.

Before building the 51 Bowman set myself I had one of the CCC reprint sets (Fritsch used to sell them) which I later gave to another board member. ( not the OP )

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Reprints of the 51 Bowman set have been around since at least 1986 when the Card Collector's Company produced some, but CCC's did state reprints on the back initially.

Before building the 51 Bowman set myself I had one of the CCC reprint sets (Fritsch used to sell them) which I later gave to another board member. ( not the OP )

Right, Al. Hope I'm not seen as piling on, but here is a comparison for eyeball inspection of the CCC Reprint, a genuine card and the OP's card.
Notice how the fake closely resembles the reprint at the top line of the reverse. Mantle's name is clumsily offset from the text below it contrasted against the genuine example.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Diablo

Thank you @Nicedocter and @thecomebacker
Thank you @swarmee - I'm not looking to pawn or sell this card and I appreciate the help you shared.

@Bestdj777 - The "aging" is not artificial. But I guess I can understand how one may THINK it's artificial by looking at it.

@irv, I totally understand where you're coming from. I planned to come back to utilize the forum. In fact, I find this forum extremely useful for collectors. Eventually, I'll block the noise and the people who assume I'm "artificially" making cards or creating a story... really?

Yet, I can also see why newbies don't return because some people like @1952boyntoncollector, @albb and @Bestdj777 assume I'm making this up, so rather welcoming me to the forum and share some advice and tips (as others have), they decide to bully newbies around - Why would anyone want to return?

I came to this forum to first be welcomed and secondly get some tips and guidance, not for people like @1952boyntoncollector, @albb and @Bestdj777 to think I'm making up a story or try to "age" a baseball card. As I stated in my original post, I don't plan on selling the card (real or fake) because of the sentimental value it holds.

Also, I didn't feel it was anyone's business, but I guess I have to explain the WHOLE story to@1952boyntoncollector, @albb, and @Bestdj777 or they may think I'm making stuff up. This card was given to my mom and me from a cousin who was tragically killed back in 1992 at the age of 20 years old on the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Here's some advice from someone who could possibly be one of your sons - Words matter, our tongue has the power and strength to build or to destroy. And people should NEVER assume someone's story and bash them, just because there may have been phony posts started in the past.

@hcv123- Thank you! Some people feel good when they're punks behind a computer. Regardless of real or fake, I'm keeping the card, and I appreciate the advice.

Again, thank you for those who have shared your inputs and advice.

Glad to hear, and I agree, this is a great site with tons of knowledgeable members more than willing to help most times.

Welcome aboard.

[1952boyntoncollector]

welcome aboard maybe someday you will get into the 5,000 post club..

swarmee and alrbiship are getting close...

[Diablo]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

welcome aboard maybe someday you will get into the 5,000 post club..

swarmee and alrbiship are getting close...

Thank you for informing me. Also, being apart of the 5,000 post club would be a great incentive to be part of Net 54.

[Bestdj777]

I didn’t bully you, I didn’t say your story was a lie, and I didn’t say that you artificially age the card. I have no reason to think you are lying about the history of the card or that you faked it—please reread my post. You asked for opinions regarding the card. I have around 500 mostly low grade Mantles from the 50-60s—I know what aging and wear happens naturally. The card you have does not have natural aging. Rather, it looks like someone took sandpaper to the surface to make it look warn and then put coffee on it to discolor it. I’m 99% positive it is artificially aged. My comments were to counter those giving you hope on it as there is absolutely no point sending this for grading and wasting that money. People faked stuff a lot in the 80s and 90s (and still do) and a lot of people are now holding family pieces from that error that aren’t real.

Now, all that said, it seems to be a very important piece for you with a family connection. I recommend you get a custom frame for it, hang it on the wall, enjoy it, and future generations argue about it 50 years from now.

Welcome to the forum. I’m hear as a resource should you have any questions—just PM me as I don’t check often. I’m not, however, a bully.