Mantle Collectibles Guide Books Part 4

By Kelly R. Eisenhauer

If you are thinking of collecting books about Mickey Mantle, you better have a large bookcase with lots of room. I knew when I started this project that there were quite a few biographies, autobiographies and other books with his likeness or name on the front cover, but I never knew that the total would be more than 125.
Also included in this final section of the four parts covering books are the various booklets and pamphlets where Mickey’s picture appeared. Finally, a comprehensive listing of every comic book with Mickey on the front cover appears for the first time in print and who knows how many new books will be written paying the ultimate tribute to the Great No. 7.

97. Mickey Mantle by Ronald A. Reis – 2009, Checkmark Books, hardcover and soft cover
Part of a series of biographical books on baseball greats, Reis traces Mickey’s origin back to Commerce, Okla., as a youngster and continues his timeline of Mickey until his passing in August 1995. Using first-rate quality photographs to supplement his writing, Reiss shows pictures of Mickey with teammate Roger Maris, Casey Stengel, his wife and children, Willie Mays and Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, and many others. Stories of Mickey include his many accomplishments and how he became a role model and an American hero. Other books in the series include biographies of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Albert Pujols, Andruw Jones and Ichiro Suzuki. (photo 1,035)

98. Baseball’s All-time Greats: The Top Fifty Players – By Mac Davis, 1970, Bantam Books, soft cover
Featuring a short four-page write-up of “Old Blood and Guts,” author Mac Davis writes short blurbs about the top 50 players to have ever played the game.
With a list that includes such memorables as Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Jackie Robinson, Pie Traynor, Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Cy Young, Casey Stengel, Grover Cleveland Alexander and others, the book also features photos of 26 of those 50 players. For Mantle, it’s the typical story of how great he could have been if injuries would not have plagued him throughout his stellar career. A close-up facial shot of Mickey appears on the front cover. (photo 1,036)

99. Batting Tips by Mickey Mantle – 1962 Alvarn Co.
This one page foldout “pamphlet” is divided into (10) 2¾-by-5½-inch sections. It features Mickey in a right-handed batting stance with facsimile signature on its front cover. Inside, the reader will find tips on pitching and how to play each defensive position. The reverse side features tips on catching, playing the outfield and also gives important batting suggestions. The pamphlet was included in Mickey Mantle’s Batting Training Set with Adjustable Weight Bat that was reported earlier in the “Toys and Games” submission of the Mickey Mantle Complete Collectibles Guide. (photo 1,037)

100. Mickey Mantle: His Final
Inning by Ed Cheek – American Tract Society
In 1995, The American Society of Garland, Texas, published a tri-fold single-sheet brochure that dealt with Mickey finding Christ as his savior. The Bible references in the brochure are from the King James Version. (photo 1,038)

101. Mickey Mantle: His Final Inning by Ed Cheek – American Tract Society
In 1998, The American Tract Society of Garland, Texas, updated its 1995 version by altering the front cover with a new design. The verbiage is basically the same as the 1995 version, but the back page has the addition of an advertisement for a Mickey Mantle CD-ROM of the same name. It includes sports highlights, stats, trivia, game simulation and ESPN footage. (photo 1,039)

102. Living With Arthritis: Tips From Hall of Fame Athlete Mickey Mantle – 1989, Ciba-geigy
This 17-page booklet gives helpful tips of how to live with arthritis. Filled with picture of Mickey, the main point that Mickey makes is the fact that if you do have arthritis, you should see a doctor to get on the proper medication.
Mickey is shown in casual attire leaning on a bat with his left hand. (photo 1,040)

103. Home For The Holidays by Gene Stelten – 1995, Peachtree Publications, hardcover
Filled with stories from more than 60 prominent Americans, including celebrities, politicians, athletes and artists, Home for the Holidays offers warm stories for the holidays. With entries from Mantle, Casey Kasem, Joe Paterno, Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Clinton, Evaner Holyfield and countless others, all share their personal stories that bring a warmth to be enjoyed by all families sharing Christmas at home.
For Mickey, his story was how he, with the help of friends, managed to raise more than $131,000 playing golf at the Harbor Club Golf Resort to benefit the less fortunate of Green County, Ga. In 1993, the proceeds went to help more than 750 needy families and in 1994, Christmas goodies were sent to another 1,050 families. It gave Mick great pleasure in helping the less fortunate. (photo 1,041)

104. Mickey Mantle Minute-a-Day Isometric Program Pamphlet – Supra-vite Corp.
This quad-fold one-page foldout shows Mantle promoting the Minute-A-Day Isometric Gym. Recommended for teenagers, adults and older folks, the advertisement guarantees that if the consumer spends one minute a day, it will increase strength as much as 5 percent per week up to 50 percent in 10 weeks. The folder was also shown in the Toys and Games submission of this Guide. (photo 1,042)

105. Mickey Mantle Fedtro Foldout – 1965
This large multi-fold one-page booklet features multiple pictures of Mantle promoting the various megaphone and communication products of Fedtro. He is shown in casual attire and in his Yankee uniform. (photo 1,043)

106. Mickey Mantle’s Week Of Dreams
This quad-fold one-page color foldout advertising brochure shows multiple pictures of Mantle and his Yankee teammates Hank Bauer, Johnny Blanchard, Jake Gibbs, Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter, Moose Skowron, Enos Slaughter and Tom Tresh. If you were willing to plunk down $3,950, you could spend a week with Mickey in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. It was the place where the ultimate baseball fantasy became a reality.
(photo 1,044)

107. The Mickey Mantle Whitey Ford Fantasy Baseball Camp
Billed as the experience of a lifetime, this advertising brochure offered campers a chance to play ball with Mickey, Whitey, Hank, Moose, Mike Ferraro, Jake Gibbs, Mickey Rivers, Ralph Houk and Enos Slaughter. The fantasy camp came at a price of $3,650 per camper. Different brochures were printed for each respective year.
(photo 1,045 and 1,046)

108. 1974 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide – soft cover
Sporting a photo of Mantle and Whitey Ford at the 1974 annual BBWAA media conference, the two are shown posing together to announce their election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The guide is filled with statistical data, player biographies and the 1974 roster of the Yankees. (photo 1,047)

109. Playing Major League Baseball by Mickey Mantle – 1956, soft cover
This 16-page booklet was an advertising premium for Lifebuoy Soap. The 6-by-9-inch booklet features fielding tips from Yogi Berra (catching), Ted Kluszewski (first base), Don Larsen (pitching) and Harvey Kuenn (infield). The inside back cover features a full-page advertisement for Karo Syrup and the back page shows Mickey autographing a baseball. (photos 1,048, 1,049)

110. The Proudest Yankees Of All by David Hickey and Kerry Keene – 2003, Taylor Trade Publishing, hardcover
This 224-page book celebrates the 39 players, managers and team executives who have been elected to the Hall of Fame for the baseball feats during their tenure with the Yankees. The front cover pictures DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, Mantle, Berra and Ruth. The book contains 40 photos. (photo 1,050)

111. 1965 Official Baseball Almanac by Bill Wise – 1965, Gold Medal Books, Fawcett Publictions, soft cover
Complete with team rosters for 1965 season and batting averages and pitching records for the 1964 season, the 1965 Baseball Almanac has a special feature story on Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and others. The paperback cover features Mantle batting right-handed in his road gray Yankee uniform. (photo 1,051)

112. Baseball Stars of 1965 by Ray Robinson – 1965, Pyramid Books, soft cover
Using the photo of Mantle’s home run in the 1964 World Series, author Ray Robinson tells behind-the-scene stories of some of the games biggest stars. Lifetime statistics fill the book with predictions for the upcoming 1965 season. (photo 1,052)

113. Baseball’s One For The Book 1968 Edition by Leonard Gettelson – The Sporting News, soft cover
The book features the official all-time baseball records up to 1968. Mantle appears on the cover batting left-handed in his road uniform. (photo 1,053)

114. The Sporting News 1957 Dope Book by J.G. Taylor Spink – 1957, The Sporting News, soft cover
The 1957 Dope Book features a right-handed follow-through swing illustration of Mantle on the front cover. Complete with facts, figures, and feature stories, the book also includes major league rosters, statistical data and ballpark diagrams. (photo 1,054)
Similar books from The Sporting News with Mantle on the front cover also exist. They are basically the same in content except for the change of dates. One such book is The Official Guide- Baseball 1957 Rules and Averages. This shows Mickey being greeted by his teammates after hitting a home run at Yankee Stadium. (photo 1,055)
In 1965, The Sporting News published Official World Series Records from 1903 through 1964. It shows pictures of Bob Gibson, Bobby Richardson, and Mantle. (photo 1,056)
Finally, Mickey appeared on the front cover of the 1967 Dope Book (published by The Sporting News) as part of a tribute to all the Triple Crown winners to date. On the cover with Mickey were Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, Lou Gehrig and others. (photo 1,057)

115. Memories Of A Yankee Batboy 1956-61 by Frank Prudenti – 2003, Pru Publications, hardcover
Imagine for a second that you are the New York Yankees batboy from 1956 to 1961. As a youngster growing up, that would be the dream job of a lifetime. Relive Mickey’s Triple Crown year of 1956 and sit in the dugout of one of the greatest teams of all time: the 1961 Yanks. Well, for Frank Prudenti, that was his job. Prudenti tells the hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of an era that is long gone. The front cover of the book shows an autographed photo of Mickey with Frank in the Yankee dugout. (photo 1,058)

116. Tommy Al Bat “El Beisbol Y Sus Heroes” by Tomas Morales Fernandez – 1968, La Prensa, Mexico City, soft cover
This very rare 275-page Spanish book shows Mantle and teammate Joe Pepitone sharing a laugh at the batting cage. The book is more on baseball and contains very little on Mickey. (photo 1,059)

117. Mickey Mantle: An Authorized Pictorial Tribute – 1995, Harvest Media, soft cover
Some may say this is a magazine, and some may say it is a booklet. Whatever category you place it in is totally up to you. In 1995, this special collectors edition was made and distributed through Footlocker. It is loaded with great photos and articles on The Mick. A Mickey Mantle Donor Card was also inserted in each issue and all proceeds were earmarked to benefit The Mickey Mantle Donor Awareness Foundation. (photo 1,060)

Comic Books featuring Mantle
Checklist ...
118. The earliest comic book that contained Mickey Mantle on the front cover was the 1952 Fawcett Publication, The Thrilling True Story of the Baseball Yankees. The front cover showed color headshot photos of Berra, DiMaggio, Mantle, Hank Bauer, Allie Reynolds and Stengel. Mickey’s first name was misspelled as “Micky.” It was never corrected.
The comic book told the story of the 1951 Champion Yankees and other great Yankee teams of the past. (photo 1,061)

119. In 1953, a comic book called Mickey Mantle Fun Damentals was produced by Graphics of St. Paul, Minn. It shows Mickey batting right-handed with the catcher in the background and nine balls in the strike zone. Also on the front cover in the lower left corner are the following words: “Which of these nine fair balls is your weakness? How’s your bunting and base running? Mickey Mantle in this booklet will give you real Baseball Fun Damentals! It is without a doubt the hardest to find of all Mantle comic books produced. (photos 1,062 and 1,063)

120. In 1957, Mission Soda issued the comic book called, My Greatest Thrills in Baseball by Mickey Mantle.
The comic was a premium giveaway with the purchase of a six-pack carrier of Mission Soda. The Mission Soda window poster is shown with comic book. The last page of the comic book features a full-page color advertisement with Mickey promoting “Mission of California.” Mickey is shown in a left-handed batting pose wearing his Yankee pinstripe uniform. (photos 1,064-1,066)

121. Estrella Del Deporte Mickey Mantle
To commemorate the retirement of Mantle from baseball in 1968, this Spanish comic book highlights the career of the great Yankee slugger in comic book form. Also on the front cover are the Spanish words “La Maxima Figura de Los Yanquis.” (photo 1,067)

122. Chanoc No 461 – Mickey Mantle – Bola Canon
This Mexican comic features the life story of Mickey Mantle. It was released on Aug. 9, 1968. The publisher is Herrerias, Tijuana, Mexico. (photo 1,068)
123. “Great Hitters I’ve Known” by Mickey Mantle – 1976
This mini comic book measures 3½-by-5 inches and was made for Carvel Ice Cream stores. Orignally selling for 35 cents, the book features Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial and Willie Mays. A Whitey Ford mini comic book was also issued for Carvel. It was called, “Great Pitchers I’ve Known.” (photo 1,069)

124. Basky And Robin Ice Cream Comic “Cards”
In the summer of 1980, ice cream giant Baskin and Robbins issued three colorized baseball cards in its “Fun with Basky and Robin” comic book. Although the cards were printed on regular paper stock, they were made to be cut and pasted into a scrapbook. The three players featured were Aaron, Mantle and Ted Williams. They were a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame Collectors’ Series and were designated as “B 4-6.” (photos 1,070 and 1,071)

125. Baseball Legends Comic No. 4 - Mickey Mantle by Revolutionary Comics
Unauthorized and proud of it, Personality Comics issued a series of comic books that featured 19 of the all-time greats. The players were Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax , Willie Mays, Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Carl Yastrzemski, Johnny Bench, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Lou Gehrig. The Mantle comic book was issued in 1992 and was 30 pages, not including the front and back cover. (photo 1,072)

126. Mickey Mantle Fantastic First Issue by Magnum Comics
In December 1991, Magnum Comics produced the first of two comic books on Mickey Mantle. The premier issue shows a young, 19-year-old Mickey in a right-handed batting pose with the No. 6 barely visible on the back of his 1951 Yankee pinstriped uniform. (photo 1,073)
127. Mickey Mantle Spectacular Second Issue by Magnum Comics
Hot off the presses in November 1992, Magnum comics continued “The Mickey Mantle Story” in their second issue. Mickey is shown holding his bat with both hands around his thigh area. Once again, he is shown wearing his home Yankee pinstriped uniform and Yankee hat. The Magnum comics came individually wrapped in a clear plastic bag with the addition of a Mantle postcard. Three of the Mantle postcards drawn by artist Joe Orsak are shown. (photos 1,074 and 1,075)

128. Sports Classics No. 2 Featuring Mickey Mantle by Personality Comics
Personality Comics released this Mickey Mantle issue in June 1992. With the words “The Unauthorized Biography” on the front cover, Personality Comics included four limited-edition trading cards as the centerfold of its issue. The cards were limited to 6,000 and were individually numbered.
All of the artwork for the comic and cards were done in black and white. The front cover is the only page in color and does not contain the interlocking “NY” on Mickey’s hat for fear of violating the trademark infringement laws.
Interestingly enough, the “NY” does appear on one of the four trading cars and does appear frequently in the comic’s illustrations. Pictured are the front cover and four insert cards. (photos 1,076 and 1,077)

129. Mickey Mantle: The Unauthorized Biography by Celebrity Comics
Produced in November 1992, Celebrity Comics released this Mickey Mantle issue that shows him in a close-up smiling pose. The “comic book” is more like a short story with almost 20 pages of copy supplemented with color and black-and white illustrations. The back cover shows an illustration of Mickey pointing to the ball that he hit 565 feet in Washington, D.C. (photo 1,078)