Uncut Sheet with 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle RC in Collect Auctions

[blades3]

A one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime Mickey Mantle Rookie card is in the national spotlight once again, this time in the hobby’s rarest format, a blazing 36-card uncut sheet that graces the marquee of the current Collect Auction’s sale that is online now. The 800-lot auction is found at collectauctions.net and closes on Nov. 6.

https://collectauctions.net/1951_Bow...-LOT61560.aspx

In yet another spectacular offering loaded with PSA-graded unopened packs from all sports and all eras, pristine unopened wax, cellos and vending boxes (many boasting the imprimatur of the fabled Larry Fritsch Card Company vault), autographed cards and sets, partial sets and PSA-slabbed panels from the famed Post Cereal baseball and football issues, a remarkable run of Exhibit cards dating back to 1921, Charles Fazzino hand-painted baseballs from Richard Nixon, Bruce Springsteen, George Steinbrenner & Jason Alexander, Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Brett Favre, and even a stunning dual-signed baseball featuring high-grade signatures of Babe Ruth and Mel Ott.

That’s an important sampling but it hardly exhausts the curriculum: the nicest 1964 Topps Baseball set we’ve ever handled, with almost 400 cards neatly ensconced in PSA 8 holders; autographs of everybody from Thurman Munson, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron to even older guys like Humphrey Bogart, Charles Lindbergh, James Madison and James Monroe; there are pristine Hartland statues, including Ernie Banks with box and tag, plus an amazing run of PSA-graded beauties from famed 1952 Topps Baseball High Number Series, and, as they say, a whole lot more.

Still, with all that, we circle back to center stage and that awesome uncut sheet boasting the Mantle Rookie. Sheets are rare enough, especially from the classic early Bowman Baseball issues, and this one constitutes half of the difficult 72-card High-Number Series via cards numbered 253-288. The 18 ½ -by-12 ½-inch sheet is nothing short of sensational, with a lineup of three Hall of Famers (counting The Mick) and a host of important stars of the era. Joining Mantle’s fabled Rookie card are Hall of Famers Bucky Harris and Frankie Frisch, along with the likes of Danny Murtaugh, George Metkovich, Gene Bearden, Jackie Jensen, Birdie Tebbetts, Luke Easter, Chuck Dressen, Carl Erskine, Wally Moses, Gus Zernial, Howe Pollet and Don Mueller. Good company for the most treasured and important Rookie card of the postwar era.

View the whole auction at: https://collectauctions.net/catalog.aspx

[Leon]

That is a phenomenal sheet, Steve. Good luck with the auction and thanks again for letting Net54baseball help spread the word.
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[Zach Wheat]

Simply amazing to see. Hope the auction goes well for all

[GasHouseGang]

Beautiful sheet. Probably the only thing that saved it from being cut up is the Mantle isn't perfect enough to try to cut out of the sheet and hope for an ultra high grade.

[petecld]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

Beautiful sheet. Probably the only thing that saved it from being cut up is the Mantle isn't perfect enough to try to cut out of the sheet and hope for an ultra high grade.

I think you are absolutely right and I think that is just sad. What a shame if that was cut up.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

Beautiful sheet. Probably the only thing that saved it from being cut up is the Mantle isn't perfect enough to try to cut out of the sheet and hope for an ultra high grade.

Crumpled up Wagner strip redux (albeit so much nicer).

[Beercan collector]

I don’t think anyone would cut it up unless they think some of the commons will grade high - The reverse on the mantle has some surface wear that’s close to being paper loss. Currently at $54,000

[Powell]

Happy to win this item. I don’t think the 51 Mantle has received the credit it deserves as the true rookie.

[Casey2296]

Nice pick up Powell, congratulations.
I agree with you on the 51 Mantle, coupled with the 51 Mays they make a great pair.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Powell

Happy to win this item. I don’t think the 51 Mantle has received the credit it deserves as the true rookie.

Really great pick up. Congrats

[Powell]

Thank you Ryan

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Powell

Happy to win this item. I don’t think the 51 Mantle has received the credit it deserves as the true rookie.

Great sheet! Congrats on the pick up.

[Arazi4442]

Congratulations on the pick up. That’s a really great piece. How are you planning on displaying it?

[calvindog]

Such a great item.

[Powell]

Likely display it on a wall in my office which has all kinds of anti theft and fire protection

[paul]

Hopefully you have some sun protection too.

[CW]

Originally Posted by Powell

Likely display it on a wall in my office which has all kinds of anti theft and fire protection

That's a museum worthy piece and congrats on adding it to your collection.

Just a suggestion, but you might consider asking the framer (should you choose to have it framed) to add rear mounting hardware that allows you to hang it either horizontally or vertically. It's always good to have options.

[Powell]

Great idea! Thank you

[raulus]

Originally Posted by paul

Hopefully you have some sun protection too.

Agree with this. I’ve had lots of art on the walls of my office that have faded dramatically over the years. In my case they were worthless bric-a-brac, so it didn’t matter so much.

[JollyElm]

There's only one place for it!!!

On your bedroom wall next to this...

FarrahPoster40.jpg

[MK]

This same uncut sheet sold at the Copeland Auction in 1991 for $38,500. Lot #91 for anyone with the catalog.

[iwantitiwinit]

You 100 pct have to hang that vertically with Mick at the top!!

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by MK

This same uncut sheet sold at the Copeland Auction in 1991 for $38,500. Lot #91 for anyone with the catalog.

As I recall, the one that sold at the Copeland auction was a different one, and I believe it was also a complete sheet.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

As I recall, the one that sold at the Copeland auction was a different one, and I believe it was also a complete sheet.

Mike and Corey - I believe that the Copeland sheet was a different example, but they were both 36 cards with the exact same makeup.