For this lot, we are proud to offer the single largest collection of Mickey Mantle items ever offered for sale. From personal items originally offered by the Mantle family at the famous 2003 Guernsey’s Auction which was held at Madison Square Garden, to items from the Harry Craft Estate, to a myriad of rare items that were diligently pursued by our consignor, this lot captures the entire playing career of Mickey Mantle and is a testament to all of the products he endorsed.
It was our consignor’s goal to build the largest Mantle collection in the world. Based on the 5,000+ inventoried items in this lot, he achieved his ultimate dream.
The unique collection spans 8 decades, with the earliest item being Mickey Mantle’s 1947-49 Commerce High School Yearbook. 1,000’s of hours of searching was logged as our consignor scoured a myriad of sources to build his collection. Shipping cost alone must have tallied $35,000+.
If Mantle was associated with the product, our consignor tried to obtain it. As you will see per the detailed attached spreadsheet, the consignor was successful in over 5,000+ instances.
One of the most spectacular items is a custom Harley Davidson motorcycle that was designed by Mickey’s son, David as a colorful and touching tribute to his father. The motorcycle was on exhibit at the George Bush Presidential Museum. The online catalog description read,
“Beginning March 1, 2008 and running through July 20, 2008, the George Bush Presidential Museum will showcase an exhibit titled “Born to Play Ball” which will look at some of baseball’s most famous players. This exhibit is being produced together with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. It will open in College Station, Texas, and then travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with one-of-a-kind objects from private collectors, the National Baseball Hall of Fame is contributing numerous artifacts, photographs, and interactive programs. Beginning with a brief history of the evolution of the game and equipment, the exhibit features outstanding players representing each of the nine positions. It will also take a look at the Negro Leagues, Women’s League, as well as Presidents and their special relationship to this most American game. This exhibit will knock the ball out of the park!”
The collection is museum ready, with a carefully designed inventory of duplicate items that would serve as a revenue stream to offset the purchase price and maintenance of the collection. Additional highlights include but are not limited to:
Stetson Cowboy Hat – personally owned and a favorite of the Mick’s
Cripple Creek Cowboy Hat
Final Screenplay “Touch of Mink” Movie
Script for “Safe at Home”
1956 Player of the Year Award Plaque
1956 11th Annual Art Griggs Memorial Award
1965 Player Contract
Manuscript for “The Quality of Courage”
Mickey Mantle Day Plaque from Falstaff Brewing
“The Mick” Book Contract
Mr. Belvedere Episode Script
“The Mick” Manuscript with Handwritten Notes
Auction Cover 8′ x 10′ Canvas Banner
1949 Mickey Mantle Independence Yankees Program (AU) From Harry Craft Estate
1949 Buliva Watch Awarded to Harry Craft Independence Yankees From Harry
Craft Estate
Pair of Original Yankee Stadium Seats (#8 & #9)
Comprehensive Collection of Mickey Mantle magazine cover magazines (many autographed)
Original Artwork of “Yesterday When I Was Young” Plate
Set of 12 Original Ozzie Sweet Mickey Mantle Classic Photos (with copyrights)
Set of 9 Original Frank Bauman Mickey Mantle Photos (with copyrights) from 4/26/51
Set of Original Kansas City Star/Times Newspapers from 1951 (Mantle with KC Blues)
1947-49 Commerce HS Yearbooks + later years of Ray, Roy, Max, etc.
Mickey Mantle Country Cookin’ Side Chair
Mickey Mantle Country Cookin’ Captain’s Chair
Although at first appearance it may seem that the contents of the autograph collection were confiscated through law enforcement’s Operation Bull Pen Raids (FBI’s confiscation of fake signatures), I can assure you that the nearly 200 autographs are all authentic. It would seem that this quantity (approximately 200+) of autographs would have to be forgeries, our consignor completed the task of acquiring only authentic examples. With a keen knowledge of Mantle’s signature and a vast connection of reputable dealers, every autograph in this collection is 100% authentic. Many obtained in person by our consignor, the rest were reviewed by professional authenticators JSA or PSA/DNA. This is the largest and most diverse offering of authentic Mickey Mantle signature to ever be offered as one lot. Many of the signed baseballs contain unique inscriptions, rarely offered for sale.
Ozzie Sweet Negative collection (12) with rights: Of all images ever taken of Mickey Mantle, the Ozzie Sweet color images offered in this lot are the finest pictures ever taken of the Mick.
Ozzie Sweet (b. Oscar Cowan Corbo, 1918-2913). Sweet’s career almost defies description, as he began as an actor in the Hollywood of the 1940s with such luminaries as John Wayne, and continuing through a distinguished photography career that spanned more than 50 years.
His career began after he sent a series of “simulated action” photographs depicting war scenes to Newsweek. Not only was the series published, on the Oct. 12, 1942, cover, but he was later hired as the magazine’s chief photographer.
He took dozens of pictures of Mantle, many collected in a 1998 book, “Mickey Mantle: The Yankee Years,” in collaboration with the writer Larry Canale. The two men later traveled together during spring training and produced a second book of old and new photographs, “The Boys of Spring: Scenic Images From the Grapefruit League, 1948-2004.”
Our consignor was very condition conscience, with the vast majority of all items remaining in near mint condition. A detailed spreadsheet is available, with all of the Mickey Mantle items included as one lot. For this onetime event, one lucky collector can have the opportunity to obtain the largest and most comprehensive Mantle memorabilia collection on the face of the planet.
The collection has been estimated to be valued at over $1,000,000+.
Interest parties may contact us for a private consultation. Contact our staff for the detailed spreadsheet.