Auction Item Details
Lot 640
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Lot Number: 640
Description: Earliest Known Mickey Mantle single signature baseball c.1956. In 1956, 24-year-old Mickey Mantle, already a perennial All-Star, firmly established himself as one of best players of all time by winning the Triple Crown and the first of what would be three American League MVP awards. At the time, there were no autograph shows; in fact there would be no autograph shows until the sports memorabilia market developed nearly 30 years later. For that reason, all single-signed balls from before the mid-1980's are exceptionally rare, and Mickey Mantle single-signed balls from the 1950's are virtually unheard-of. The style of MantleÆs signature went through a gradual but marked transformation from 1951 until the early 1960's, and from comparisons with authentic signatures on team balls, which can be conclusively dated, we have determined that the offered ball was signed circa 1956. WhatÆs more, itÆs a beautyùa near-perfect blue-green ballpoint ink signature rating 9 out of 10 on a snow-white mint Harridge Official American League ball. Anyone can own one of the thousands of balls that Mantle signed at autograph shows in the 1980's and 1990's long after his playing career; only one person will own this ball from perhaps the greatest season of MantleÆs storied career. Includes LOA from PSA/DNA J. Spence-S. Grad: NM
Estimated Price: ($5,000.00-$7,000.00)
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