1951 Mickey Mantle TYPE 1 Photo Used to Create His 1952 TOPPS Card is now at 20K...

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

NOT counting the juice! And there's still 3 1/2 Days left! Just how high do you think it will go?

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...x?lotid=130834

Jimmy, its an iconic image, although not the best print (they did not do a good job on removing the masking), and my guess is it will go to a certain collector who already has a gem mint '52 Topps, as well as deep pockets and loves vintage photos - strike any notes?

This is one of the only early Mantle photos that I don't have and would be in except for the unrealistic price. With the Roger's acquisitions not likely to end in the near future, I believe additional Type 1 examples will surface and sell for much less.

As a Type 1 Joe Jackson just sold for $32,588 in REA's latest auction, it will be interesting to see how the Mantle photo compares. If there is at least one strong underbidder, I believe it could easily top the Jackson sale and wind up (with hammer fees, etc.) in the $45,000 - $50,000 range.

I am sure you have seen that there are also a number of very nice, early Gehrig and Joe D photos - good luck if you bid.

Craig

[GKreindler]

I'm definitely curious as all hell to see how high it can go.

I do agree with Craig about the whole Rogers acquisitions making it possible to find another, but I still think this is gonna get a LOT of action towards the end. The fact that in terms of the hobby, it's gotta be one of (if not THE) the most recognizable images of any player, doesn't hurt the fact. Saying that this could rival the Horner portrait of Wagner in terms of significance and price isn't hyperbole, and certainly, something that iconic is bound to make a lot of people super passionate (especially those with deep pockets) as the clock winds down.

No matter what, if you're a photo collector, I think you gotta smile knowing that this will bring more positive attention to a part of the hobby that is still capable of growing by leaps and bounds.

And Craig, any idea where/when this photo was taken? Obviously it was before the start of the '51 season, and I've seen a lot of other photos of him from the same ballpark, but I've never been able to track down a date. That sort of info would be vital for a painting!

Graig

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

I'm definitely curious as all hell to see how high it can go.

I do agree with Craig about the whole Rogers acquisitions making it possible to find another, but I still think this is gonna get a LOT of action towards the end. The fact that in terms of the hobby, it's gotta be one of (if not THE) the most recognizable images of any player, doesn't hurt the fact. Saying that this could rival the Horner portrait of Wagner in terms of significance and price isn't hyperbole, and certainly, something that iconic is bound to make a lot of people super passionate (especially those with deep pockets) as the clock winds down.

No matter what, if you're a photo collector, I think you gotta smile knowing that this will bring more positive attention to a part of the hobby that is still capable of growing by leaps and bounds.

And Craig, any idea where/when this photo was taken? Obviously it was before the start of the '51 season, and I've seen a lot of other photos of him from the same ballpark, but I've never been able to track down a date. That sort of info would be vital for a painting!

Graig

Hi Greg - good to hear from you again! The date is 3/19/51. The ballpark is more difficult. The Yankees began their 1951 spring training in February at Phoenix, Arizona (switched from Florida for only this year).

I have several classic Type 1's of Mantle dating from Feb 5 - 28, 1951 in the same Phoenix ballpark ( as indicated by the signs in the background ). These all appear identical to the portions of the signs that can be seen in the '52 Topps photo (especially the original Corbis image which has not been cropped).

The Yanks began their '51 exhibition games with a three game series against the Cleveland Indians at Tucson, AZ on March 10 - 12. They then went on their west coast tour starting in Hollywood, then SF, Oakland and winding up at Bovard Field, USC on 3/26/51.

I also have several iconic '51 Type 1's of Mickey (LH vs RH, Kneeling with bat looking pensive, '51 Bowman pose, etc.) and on those which still have a paper caption, LA is listed as the location. However, since the signs in these somewhat later photos appear to be identical to those in the earlier photos listed above in Phoenix, my guess is that the Yankees training camp in Phoenix, Az is indeed the location of the '52 Topps photo.

In addition,since the captions for these LA photos are all rather generic and simply used to add even more hype for the new "wunderkind" as he arrives in each town, I believe they just used photos of Mickey that were taken between Feb 5 and early March in Phoenix.

Hope this makes some sense. I could be wrong but based on the photos that is my best guess.

Cheers,

Craig

[GKreindler]

Hey Craig,

Thanks so much for your input - that was exactly the kind of info I was hoping for.

So, I guess it's safe to assume that those shots in this park were taken in Phoenix in Casey's rookie school, before the real spring training began? I've been looking online for a bit to get more info about the ballpark, but can't seem to find the name of the place. Back to the ol' research drawing board...

Either way, the fact that we've narrowed it down to that makes me VERY happy.

Now, hows about you letting us see some of those Mantle photos you mentioned?

Thanks again,

Graig

[GKreindler]

Ah-hah!

It was the old Phoenix Municipal Stadium used by the Phoenix Senators of the Arizona-Texas Leagues.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_2.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_5.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_6.html

Yay! Now I can paint some of those scenes with confidence. And that's important!

Graig

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Ah-hah!

It was the old Phoenix Municipal Stadium used by the Phoenix Senators of the Arizona-Texas Leagues.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_2.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_5.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_6.html

Yay! Now I can paint some of those scenes with confidence. And that's important!

Graig

Great job Graig!!! Glad I could narrow it down for you. Posted photos will come eventually - once I get a scanner and some free time.

Here is an auction scan of one I got a few years ago that shows Mickey and some other rookies with Casey at the "Phoenix Municipal Stadium" on March 1, 1951.

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Ah-hah!

It was the old Phoenix Municipal Stadium used by the Phoenix Senators of the Arizona-Texas Leagues.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_2.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_5.html
http://www.digitalballparks.com/Cact...uni_640_6.html

Yay! Now I can paint some of those scenes with confidence. And that's important!

Graig

Graig - One more Type 1 taken at the same ballpark with Joe D on Feb.5,1951