This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
Mickey Charles Mantle was born October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Mickey Mantle was a star from the start, parlaying a talent for the game and boyish good looks into iconic status. Initially Mantle played shortstop but when he came to the majors as a New York Yankee in 1951 he played center field, replacing the great Joe DiMaggio. Mantle was a switch-hitting batter who combined a powerful combination of batting power and speed. In spite of a series of devastating injuries, Mantle accumulated a long list of impressive accomplishments, finishing his 18-year career with 536 home runs and a .298 batting average. The switch-hitting "Commerce Comet" won three MVP awards and a Triple Crown (1956). He contributed to 12 pennants and seven World Series titles in his first 14 seasons while establishing numerous World Series records, including most home runs (18). Mantle announced his retirement at spring training on March 1, 1969. On June 8, 1969 his uniform No. 7 was retired during a Mickey Mantle Day celebration at Yankee Stadium. Mantle received a ten-minute standing ovation. Mickey Mantle was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 16, 1974. It was his first year eligibility for this honor. He died on August 13, 1995 and is buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas. We are very proud to offer this 1952 NY Yankee game-used home flannel pinstripe jersey, which may be the most significant Mantle home pinstripe extant. In the neck of the jersey is the "Spalding" label and below is the size tag, "44." Below this is a white felt patch reading "M Mantle 52" which has been done in blue chain stitch. On the inside left front tail is the wash tag. The jersey was sent down to the minors and the minor league team name was later removed by a collector over two decades ago. The "NY" logo on the front left breast was an original from another Yankee jersey added on later. The reverse of the flannel bears his all original player number "7." Both the name and number are made of blue Yankee felt. On the left sleeve is the extremely rare NY Yankees 50th anniversary patch. This is an original patch from another Yankee jersey. The left front tail has a large vintage autograph in black ink. The signature grades a 9 and has slight foxing along the edges. The jersey shows excellent game-use and slight toning from age. If a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card can sell for over $100,000, then this jersey should be priceless. This shirt was worn by Mantle in his first full season at Yankee Stadium.