The 1952 Topps Mantle's original photo sells at a record price

The Type I photograph behind Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps card sold privately for $3,000,000 USD, Sports Collectors Digest reported. Hunt Auctions announced it brokered the sale, a new high for an unsigned Type I photo.

It tops the previous public auction record of $843,750 USD, set at Heritage in April 2024 for a different Type I image. That photo became the image on Mantle's 1951 Bowman rookie card.

We posted a 1951 Bowman Mantle rookie setting a grade record at REA at $34,440 USD on September 21.