It's one of the most famous Mantle images ever shot, the work of renowned Yankees team photographer Don Wingfield, whose stamp appears on reverse. Wingfield's imagery has appeared in Life and Look magazines, innumerable team publications and even a variety of period trading cards. This particular shot, snapped at Ebbets Field during the 1952 World Series, was utilized for the Mantle representation in the 1951 Wheaties set. This apparent anachronistic impossibility would indicate that the Wheaties set was a multi-year issue, and one that utilized a bit of pre-Photoshop trickery as the Mick's road grays were lightened and pinstriped for a home field appearance, the Ebbets Field background eliminated in the process.
The black & white photo of Mantle in a batting pose was taken before Game 6 of the 1952 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Trailing 3 games to 2 in the series and nursing a 2-1 lead going into the top of the 8th, Mantle blasted a solo shot to give the Yankees the insurance run that proved to be the difference as they won the possible elimination game 3-2. The Yanks went on to defeat the Dodgers in the deciding Game 7. It's among the most iconic images of a young Mickey Mantle from the day he saved the 1952 World Series.
Short of a couple corner bends confined almost entirely to the white borders, the 8" by 10" image presents flawlessly, with secondary stamping on reverse attributing the first generation print to the collection of leading bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby. A 2004 letter of provenance from John A. Hillerich IV confirms this history, and encapsulation from PSA/DNA assures Type 1 status.
LOA from Hillerich & Bradsby Co. PSA/DNA Type 1 cert# 1P04862.