Best looking Willie Mays cards?

[Exhibitman]

Another one I really like the look of:

[IgnatiusJReilly]

I think the 1952 Bowman is my favorite Mays card. I like his determined look and the clouds behind him. Such a classic. Here's mine:

1952_Bowman_Mays2_1 by 1956 Topps Guy, on Flickr

[Tyruscobb]

I agree. The 1960’s Mays cards are not very aesthetically pleasing. I’ll take a nicely centered 1958 card with a rich blue background.

[cgjackson222]

Heritage Auctions has a neat lot of Mays Cards up for auction now with some issues I hadn't seen before.

I kind of like the 1968 Topps Action as Stickers Mays based on the '66 Topps image.

[irv]

The best looking Mays cards are the ones we own.

[MikeGarcia]

.. " Hires Root Beer "

..

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

+1 for the 1952 Bowman. I LOVE this card (here's mine). I also really like the 1956 Topps (although I don't own one...yet). I think 1956 Topps has some of the best images for a LOT of players....the large profile pic with full action background is great (the Jackie Robinson, Clemente, and Mantle all have great looking cards in that set).

No one has mentioned 1951 Bowman in this thread yet. Personally, I think Mays looks too "angry" in that one. Maybe others do too, which is why it doesn't make the list?

Mays.JPG

[Big Red Machine]

I've always liked the 1966 Topps Mays.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Another one I really like the look of:

+1. That's always been my favorite Topps Willie. Just a classic looking vintage card. And a high number to boot.

[jsfriedm]

Interesting that no one is bringing up the 1952 and 1953 Topps. For all the money that those cards command, you'd think they'd have some more support. I see plenty of people saying the 52T Mays should one day approach the 52T Mantle, but the eye appeal just isn't there, in my opinion. The 52T Mantle is an iconic image. In his 52T, Mays just looks annoyed.

[jb67]

The 57 is an all-around great looking card. A lot of great cards to choose from.

[maj78]

Originally Posted by jb67

The 57 is an all-around great looking card. A lot of great cards to choose from.

Wow, that centering!

[jb67]

Originally Posted by maj78

Wow, that centering!

Thanks. Not every day you find one centered nicely.

[maj78]

Originally Posted by jb67

Thanks. Not every day you find one centered nicely.

Very true - been looking for a PSA 7 or better that’s well centered for over a year with no luck. Congrats on a beauty!

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jsfriedm

The 52T Mantle is an iconic image. In his 52T, Mays just looks annoyed.

Yes, but why is the '52 Topps Mantle an iconic image? I'm guessing it wasn't always. The photo is from a weird angle, and the Mick has kind of a scowl on his face. It's iconic because that card has been "The Card" for almost 50 years now. There is no reason the '52 Topps Mays couldn't do the same, although one would think it would have already were it going to happen.

[jsfriedm]

The image of the 52T Mantle seems intended to make him look heroic. It's as if Leni Riefenstahl had designed a baseball card.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jsfriedm

The image of the 52T Mantle seems intended to make him look heroic. It's as if Leni Riefenstahl had designed a baseball card.

Will admit I had to look that one up.

I think it's that way because we long ago equated it to heroic in our minds. Don't disagree with you on the end result.