1951 Mickey Mantle photo used for 1952 Topps card sells privately for record $3 million in 2026

An astonishing 1951 photograph of Mickey Mantle has shattered records, fetching $3 million at auction. This particular image laid the groundwork for his legendary 1952 Topps baseball card. Captured just before Mantle stepped onto the field for the New York Yankees, the rare PSA Type I image has found a new home with collector Ron Firman, marking a historic peak for Type I sports photographs.