# Mickey Mantle Photo Sells for $3 Million

> Rare 1951 Mickey Mantle photo, used for his 1952 Topps card, sells for record $3 million.
- Title: Mickey Mantle Photo Sells for $3 Million · New York Post
- Summary: Rare 1951 Mickey Mantle photo, used for his 1952 Topps card, sells for record $3 million. A 1951 Mickey Mantle photo that became the image for his 1952 Topps…
- Keywords: mickey mantle, 1952 topps card, psa type 1, hunt auctions, baseball memorabilia, yanks, rookie card, news, entertainment, Mickey, Mantle, Photo
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/16/sports/mickey-mantle-photo-that-became-record-setting-card-goes-for-eye-popping-3-million
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:58:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mickey mantle, 1952 topps card, psa type 1, hunt auctions, baseball memorabilia, yanks, rookie card, news, entertainment
## Record-Setting Photo Sale
A rare 1951 Mickey Mantle photo used for his 1952 Topps card sold for $3 million in a private auction.
## PSA Type 1 Authentication
This photo is a PSA Type 1, meaning it was developed from the original negative within two years of being taken.
## Photographer Unknown
The photo was taken by an unknown International News Service photographer at Yankees spring training in Phoenix on March 5, 1951.
## High Demand for Authentic Photos
PSA photo expert Henry Yee says high-end original Type I photos are in high demand from new collectors and investors.
## Rare Card Supply
Only 2,075 copies of Mantle’s 1952 Topps card exist across all grades in PSA’s pool.
## Key takeaway

A 1951 Mickey Mantle photo that became the image for his 1952 Topps baseball card sold for $3 million in a private auction.