Presented here is Mickey Mantles 1956 Player of the Year Award from the adoring sportswriters of the New York Chapter of the BBWAA. Originally sold as part of the famed Mickey Mantle estate auction in 2003 this is one of the most significant Mantle awards offered publicly in the dozen years since that sale.

Mickey Mantle's Triple Crown season in 1956 put an end to all debate about baseball's predominant figure during the golden era of the 1950's. It was also the first of Mantles three MVP seasons and arguably his greatest single season in terms of offensive production which is saying something in a career of 536 home runs and more World Series rings than you can shake a Louisville Slugger at. The vaunted Sid Mercer Memorial Award touts Mickey's "outstanding achievement as an outfielder and his rich contributions in skill and sportsmanship to baseball" but 52 home runs 132 runs scored 130 knocked in and a .353 batting average didn't hurt either.

Mickey's 1956 heroics are commemorated in this imposing plaque a breathtaking 13-by-10-inch engraving on sterling silver. Mantle's name is boldly and elegantly engraved in large letters near the top; other sections aside from the previously mentioned commentary above include "Player of the Year" and "Sid Mercer Award" along with the notation at the bottom about presentation by the New York Chapter of the BBWAA and the date of Feb. 3 1957. Affixed to a 16-by-12-inch wood base the award is in wonderful condition. At the time it was sold in 2003 it showed severe tarnishing and some surface scratches. A delicate buffing has revived its original lustre. Accompanying the piece is a copy of a superb photo of young Mr. Mantle and old Mr. Stengel in the luxurious setting of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City with Mickey dutifully clinging to his new-found prize and Casey waxing philosophically in his tux alongside. This is a staggering piece of baseball history with direct lineage from the Mantle family.

Comes with a LOA from the Estate of Mickey Mantle.