1952 or 1953 Batting photograph of young New York Yankees superstar, Mickey Mantle, as he shows off his batting form during spring training. We have seen this image before online and in publications described as a 1952 shot, but PSA has indicated this is "circa" 1953, but either way it captures a very young Mantle in uniform and showing off his swing. A statuesque masterpiece of photography, this represents the only vintage example off the original negative we have ever handled. Taken at spring training, even assuming this is a 1953 shot instead of 1952, it would have been taken just a few months after his 1952 Topps baseball card hit the shelves as the season had not started yet! The condition is quite nice with minimal handling wear from age, and the photo exhibits crystal clarity. Encapsulated by PSA as a Type 1 and offered here as the only such example we know of in the entire hobby.
Size: 8x10
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 9.5/10