1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle #59

How I Arrived at the Hobby Score

This card received a 93 overall Hobby Score.

The 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle #59 is one of the most striking cards of the 1950s. At a time when most cards relied on basic graphics and borders, Bowman made a radical design choice: full-color photography with no text on the front. The result is a timeless, clean shot of Mantle at the plate, bat on his shoulder, gazing off-camera with a calm intensity that perfectly captured his rising stardom.

This was the only year Bowman used the full-bleed photo approach, making the 1953 set a unique one-year experiment — and Mantle’s card is the centerpiece of it all. Despite the minimalist look, the card became a favorite among vintage purists who appreciate its photographic honesty and elegant simplicity.

While it doesn't have the rookie mystique of his 1951 or the pop-culture infamy of the 1952 Topps, the 1953 Bowman is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Mantle cards ever produced. It’s also surprisingly tough to find in high grade due to print quality issues and color fragility.

A lesser-known fact: the photo used on this card is from a 1951 spring training session, just before Mantle officially broke into the Yankees' starting lineup. It captures him on the cusp of becoming a legend.