This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/30/2012
Simply put, Ty Cobb said it best, “That boy Mantle is a good one."
For our final auction of the 2012 season, this lot “is a good one.” I couldn’t agree with Cobb more.
The 1958 All Star game was played at Memorial Stadium, where Mickey Mantle helped lead the American League to a 4-3 victory over the National League. In 2 AB’s, Mantle went 1-2.
This marked Mickey Mantle’s 6th All Star Game appearance. Mickey Mantle would go on to appear in 16 total All Star games. Regular season Mantle bats are prized by all collectors. Advanced collections are reserved for these special “All Star” issued examples. Produced specifically by the Louisville Slugger company as recognition for a players all star selection, many players used these trophies during the midsummer classic, and often for the remainder of the season.
This particular example remains as one of the finest Mickey Mantle game used bats ever publicly offered. As requested by Mantle, this model M110, 35”, 31 ounce bat was hand selected and crafted from one of the finest selections of golden amber ash ever used in the production of a Mantle gamer.
The factory stamps, “All Star Game, Mickey Mantle (facsimile signature), Baltimore 1958” are perfectly centered on the bat’s barrel end. The deep stampings offer a stark and visually pleasing contrast when compared to the golden amber hue of the straight grained ash barrel.
The game use is evaluated as heavy, most likely from the result of this favored bat being used for an extended period of the 1958 season, well after the All Star game had ended. As the greatest switch hitter of all time, both sides of the barrel exhibit definite game use.
Directly above the barrel can be found over two dozen distinct ball marks. Directly below the barrel and equal number of ball marks are clearly visible. Bat rack marks are also blended into this same area. The final sign of use are the presence of cleat marks, lightly scattered in the area of the ball marks. The handle remains uncracked. Although a difficult balance to obtain, this heavily use bat still retains a near mint appearance from a display perspective.
As if the high quality finish, deep factory stampings, and tremendous game use weren’t enough, this bat boasts one of the most unique Mickey Mantle autograph and inscription combinations ever found on a game used bat.
Signed in near mint blue sharpie with conviction is, “Mickey Mantle, 1 of 18 All Star Games”. The total of all star games is written by the Mick in error, as the actual tally was 16.
Simply put, this is one of the finest autographed Mickey Mantle game used bats extant.
Final Grade MEARS A10: 5 points assigned for bat being consistent with Mantle in terms of length, weight, model for the era. 3 points were assigned for heavy, optimal game use. 2 points assigned for All Star issuance and autograph notation.
(A0276)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)