1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle Card
In 1953 color photos were used for Bowman baseball cards. The result is a top quality 1953 Mickey Mantle Bowman card. The 1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle Card has a shot of Mickey in mid swing, capturing the essence of Mickey Mantle. In the background you can see the lights of Yankee Stadium. This particular card is a rare find. You need this card to ensure you have a complete collection!This is another card that does a good job of capturing the mythic greatness of Mickey Mantle in his prime. He almost seems ready to leap from the card and this dynamic energy has drawn many collectors to this card. Part of the improved appearance and styling of this card comes from Bowman’s rivalry with Topps. Topps had bested Bowman in sales by a wide margin 1952, so the following year Bowman retooled and upgraded their 1953 series in order to compete. Some say the 1953 series was the greatest series Bowman has produced to this day, and the Mantle card is one excellent example of that.
Many of these cards from this era may be found with extensive damage to the back. Much of this comes from former owners gluing them into scrapbooks and collectors albums, as was a common practice at one time. This type of damage significantly lowers the market value, but there are some who enjoy the “charm” they see in these well worn cards. The era of baseball’s golden age is brought to life for them in the imaginings that such damage may inspire.
For conventional collectors who prize Mint and Gem Mint cards, the ’53 Bowman Mantle card can command prices in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Even lesser condition cards are in high demand and can net hundreds of dollars or more in the right conditions. The value is seems all the more impressive considering these cards sold for 5 cards for a nickel when they were first released!