Mickey Mantle hit 536 career home runs, more than any switch-hitter in history. Presented is a 1953 "bat gun" original negative in which the 21-year-old future Hall of Famer is at an empty Yankee Stadium, in the off-season, and instead of hitting tall homers into the outfield stands, Mickey is going along with a gag photo idea, and aiming his bat "gun" towards the infield stands. Half a century later, a player pretending to shoot into the stands doesn't seem so funny. And yet, even today, ballparks feature souvenir tee-shirts and other souvenirs "fired" from air guns into the stands as gifts for fans. The ballparks make it all seem innocent, as it was meant to be. In any event, the negative permitted a photo opportunity to give some publicity to the Yanks' future superstar. In that upcoming 1953 season, Mantle batted .295, with 21 homers and 92 RBIs. He would go on to become a 3-time AL MVP, Triple Crown winner, 20-time All-Star, and leader on seven World Champions. The original negative measures 3.9x4.9", and it comes in what appears to be an original 5.3x74.4" manila envelope, and that is inside a 5.25x7.5" envelope, which reads, "MM 321/Mantle, Mickey points bat at stadium/MM-1953/MM321 C-8." The negative is in EXCELLENT condition, and it captures a young Mantle, just emerging into his prime.