Original oil on canvas painting of Mickey Mantle that recreates the cover of the August 21, 1995, issue of Sports Illustrated. Mantle has signed the painting in blue marker (grading 6/10) along the base. Astute collectors might be wondering how Mantle could sign an artwork based on the cover of a magazine that was published eight days after he died. The answer is simple. Many years earlier our consignor had Mantle sign the base of a blank canvas. After Mantle died he decided that a recreation of the Sports Illustrated cover would make not only an attractive display piece, but a great conversation piece as well. We feel he was correct on both counts. The painting (9x12") displays some very light foxing at the base (the unpainted portion of the canvas where Mantle signed) and a tiny ink mark near the left border, otherwise it is in Near Mint condition. Framed to total dimensions of 10x13". Full LOA from JSA.