Mickey Mantle Topps Cards Visual Guide: 1952 to 1969, Checklist, Info

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Mickey Mantle and Topps are two synonymous names in the hobby. They go together like peanut butter and jam, ice cream and apple pie, and Donald Trump and bad hair jokes. Even today, Mickey Mantle Topps cards are among the most popular in the hobby. Those who grew up while the Yankees legend was playing are trying to reacquire the cards from their youth (or upgrade well-loved copies). Younger Yankees fans are looking to connect to one of the most beloved icons of their fabled franchise.

The first Mickey Mantle Topps release is a high-number card in 1952 Topps Baseball. It is regarded by many collectors as the most important baseball card of the Post-War Era. It's also one of the most valuable. However, one thing it is not is a Mickey Mantle rookie card. That distinction comes from his card in 1951 Bowman Baseball.

See Also: Top 10 Mickey Mantle Cards of All-Time.

Between 1952 and 1959, Topps released 41 cards highlighting the legendary slugger. It would have been more had he not signed an exclusive deal with Bowman. That means there are no Mickey Mantle Topps cards from 1954 or 1955. After Topps bought Bowman, the outfielder returned to the Topps fold.

Besides basic player cards, there are several Mickey Mantle subset cards. These honor specific achievements, awards and performances. 1961 Topps Baseball is the set with the most Mantle cards, as he shows up six different times. In second, 1962 has five different Mickey Mantle Topps cards.

A total of 12 cards combine Mantle with at least one other star. These include MLB legends like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Harmon Killebrew. Pairings come from league leader cards as well as special cards that look at different player connections.

Below is a complete visual checklist of every Mickey Mantle Topps card released during his career. It includes all base cards but not any inserts, premiums or oddball cards. There are also more detailed guides that divide Mantle's cards by the decade, including breakdowns for the 1950s and 1960s.