Auction Item Details
Lot 20
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Lot Number: 20
Description: Significant 1949 Independence Yankees team signed souvenir book with Mickey Mantle (inscribed to Manager Harry Craft). Important publication dating to the dawn of the career of Mickey Mantle was issued by the Independence Yankees in 1949. Mantle was then (17) years old and had been signed by the Yankees upon his graduation from High School when scout Tom Greenwade saw him hit three home runs in a game with the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids. His very first professional assignment was to Independence, a Class-D team, and he hit (.313) in (89) games before moving up to their Class-C affiliate the following year. The "Souvenir Book" has been signed throughout the interior by Mantle, Keith Speck, Lou Skizas, John Cimino, Bob Newbill, Bob Mallon, Charlie Weber, Steve Kraley, Bob Weisler, Jack Whitaker, Ken Bennett, William Chambers, Al Long, Jim Bello, Nick Ananias, and Joe Crowder. Adding to the already impressive significance of the piece is that nearly all signers have inscribed the piece to their Manager, Harry Craft. Signatures are done in fountain pen rating 8 to 9/10 out of 10 and the book shows a touch of light handling/age wear. Among the earliest Mantle autographs known and a particularly noteworthy piece dating to the dawn of one the most celebrated baseball careers in history. Includes full LOA from JSA: Sigs. EX/MT-NM, Program EX/MTEstimated Price Range: ($5,000-$10,000)
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