Every list of 1950s baseball stars begins with Mickey Mantle, as his slugging, fielding, and postseason excellence earned fans by the millions and set the gold standard for collector interest in almost anything bearing his likeness. This nostalgic second Bowman card shows the Mick relaxing near stadium stairs and its art captures his mixture of boyishness and power, even at rest.

The SGC VG+ 3.5 grade presents as a stronger grade, with clean, even edges and a wonderful central image. Centering a touch northward, Ink speckles along its lower edge, and Bowman's often-seen wax mark on the back explain its technical grade. A high-demand card regardless of grade, with this being more accessible than most.

1951 and 1952 Bowman cards used a distinctive size and art style that influenced many to come, from 1953 Topps to Red Man tobacco, as the company clearly valued a top-quality product and did their best to outcompete Topps for every penny of bubblegum. Love of the Gum is proud to offer many of their best stars and graded examples in our auction.