The 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie has, for several decades now, not attracted the attention brought by the 1952 Topps card, but in recent years it has begun to be noticed for what it is - and why not?  It's the rookie card of an iconic player, who is arguably the biggest name in the hobby and it resides in a popular set. The SGC 3 example presented here is an extremely nice card for the grade, with an obverse many higher ranked slabs would envy. The blues are fabulous, from the rich, darker hues in the Mick's Yankees cap to the more subtle tones of sky blue that form the background. The image is a bit up and to the right yet retains an appealing look, with centering that remains stronger than that of the typical example of this card. The reverse is bright and legible, looking quite fresh, with only some mild staining along the left edge. Overall, this card is a a real looker and one of the key Hall of Fame rookie cards in the hobby.