This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2021
1961 was Mickey Mantle’s eleventh season in the majors and the tenth consecutive in which he was voted to the American League All-Star team. As such, Mantle was included in Topps’ “All-Star” subset. Issued late in the summer, Mick’s All-Star card is one of the scarce “high numbers” and thus hard to obtain, especially in high-grade condition. According to PSA population reports, there are only four – yes, four – graded Gem Mint 10. The last time a Gem Mint 10 came up for auction was over five years ago. This flawless, eye-catching card offered here is one of the four Mantle All-Star Gem Mint 10’s.
Beginning in 1958, Topps doubled-down on the games brightest stars by picturing them on a second regular-season “All-Star” card. Featuring a different design than the regular issue cards, the “All-Star” versions offered a more dynamic depiction of top stars. For 1961, Topps had the player bursting through an issue of The Sporting News. Mickey Mantle, at that time vying with teammate Roger Maris for Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record, was pictured on card 578. As one of the scarce “high number” series, the All-Star Mantle remains one of the cornerstones for both 1961 set builders and Mantle collectors. The card has been encapsulated and graded a Gem Mint 10 by PSA.
Estimate: $50,000+