What a moment this had to be for a young rookie from Oklahoma in 1951 as he posed sandwiched between the two best hitters in baseball over the last twenty years at the ballpark on Opening Day! Mickey Mantle had the weight of the world on his shoulders and all the pressure to go along with it; moments like this probably did not help. He was purposely placed with the two superstar veterans Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams as Mantle was given the title of "heir apparent" while also dealing with the nerves of his first big league game! While it would take him some time to get there, Mantle did not disappoint as he became more famous than the two he was posed with on his way to perhaps the most beloved figure in baseball history! While we have seen a few other examples from this photo session before, this is the first that dates to 1951 and off the original negative that we have ever handled! Blank backed and in great shape, this encapsulated by PSA as a Type 1 and as such is one of the top Mantle images we have ever handled! An investment quality relic that would become the cornerstone of even the most advanced collection, especially pinpointed to his first day in the big leagues!

Size: 6x9
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 9.5/10