Mickey Mantle is still considered by many to be the last true baseball hero. The young outfielder accepted the torch passed by the great DiMaggio, who had similarly followed in the path of Lou Gehrig. The 1951 season was Mantle's first in pinstripes and, despite his being sent back down to the minors for more seasoning, Bowman issued this card in that year's final key series. Bowman's colorized visage of future greatness was adapted from an image taken in spring training before the 1951 season. This is one of the earliest images of Mickey Mantle in a Yankee uniform. If you look closely it is even evident that he is sporting #6 on his back. Only in the most carefully preserved specimens, as here, does the design's true magnificence reveal itself.

This exquisite PSA NM 7 example has superb white borders. While the centering favors the northwest edge, the card has tremendous eye appeal with bold colors and a full, uninterrupted image. It has escaped the printing inconsistencies that characterize the issue and which make "clear" examples, like this one, so very special. The reverse is extremely well-centered comapred to most Near Mint 7's and completely unblemished by those annoying wax stains that often plague this set. A wonderful true rookie card of the Commerce Comet avaialble for a serious collector or smart investor.