Spectacular and well-preserved response to a fan letter from a very young Mickey Mantle.  Typewritten on New York Yankees letterhead and dated July 28, 1953, Mantle reaches out to a Mr. Barry Fletcher of Chicago, with the following:

  Dear Barry,

  Thanks very much for writing and asking for my autograph.

  It sure is encouraging to know of your interest in me and the Yankees.  I am pleased to give you my autograph by signing this letter.

  Sincerely,

  Mickey Mantle

Mantle's signature is applied neatly in black ink, an early version of his signature, dark and bold.  While Mantle signatures - even early ones - are by no means scarce, this example, carefully placed on New York Yankees letterhead in the third year of his legendary career, offers extraordinary provenance, and a beautiful canvas for such an attractive signature.  Also included is the original mailing envelope from the New York Yankees, postmarked August 10, 1953 - just a few weeks after the letter was written, clearly by an administrative employee and subsequently signed by Mantle.  Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.