From the 1940’s through the mid 1960’s Toots Shor’s Restaurant was the place to see and be seen in New York City.  It was known as Joe DiMaggio’s home away from home during the Yankees season; which made the place famous.  Other frequent guests included the likes of Jackie Gleason (who always ate there for free), Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Orson Welles, Yogi Berra, and Ernest Hemingway. (Berra and Hemingway allegedly met there).  Toots Shor was known to be a generous and loyal host who treated his friends like royalty. He called them “crum-bums” or “stewbums” as a term of endearment. 

 It came as no surprise that when Mickey Mantle cracked the starting lineup for the Bronx Bombers in 1951, he became one of Toots’ favorite sons.  It has been said that, Mickey Mantle and Toots Shor had a close friendship that lasted for decades.

Mantle quickly became a regular at Toots Shor’s, along with his teammates Billy Martin and Whitey Ford. They enjoyed the nightlife of New York City, drinking, gambling and mingling with other stars. They also got into some trouble, such as when Mantle punched a fan who insulted him at the bar. Toots Shor always defended his friends and smoothed things over with the authorities. He also helped Mantle cope with his injuries, his marital problems and his fame.  In fact, in Billy Crystal’s 2001 movie, “61*” Mantle is featured in several scenes hanging out at Toots Shor’s restaurant.

Toots Shor and Mickey Mantle remained friends until Shor’s death in 1977. Mantle was one of the pallbearers at his funeral. He said that Toots Shor was "the best friend I ever had".

It is no secret that Mantle battled alcoholism for much of his adult years and at the end of his life, he even opened up about his struggle with addiction.  To many fans, during his playing days, he was just letting off a little steam.

Offered here is a 3.5” x 2.5” business sized place card that on one side features a guilded “a” and the name written out in an unknown hand “Mickey Mantle”

On the reverse is the real treasure; signed in dark blue ink by 4 of the greatest Yankees players of the 1950s & 60s adorns the signatures of Mickey Mantle who wrote (one could only write this to a very close friend), “To Toots Our Best Wishes you dirty Jew Bastard – Mickey Mantle”

Autographs beneath Mantle include the Chairman of the Board, Hymie (Whitey) Ford, Max (Elston) Howard, and Yogi Berra.

While this may offend some folks, we believe that this was signed during a drunken night out on the town and believe Toots’ “crum-bums” signed this out of ignorant inebriated love.

Evidently, Toots must have cherished this autographed treasure, as it appears like it was carried around in his wallet for years.

One of the most unique Mantle autographed pieces besides the infamous “Lewd” Yankees Questionnaire that we previously sold in December 2022 for just under $243,000