Lot # 2390: Circa 1962 Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris Returno "Pitch-N-Hit" Game

The national mania surrounding the famed "home-run duel" between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in 1961 was not overlooked by the executives on Madison Avenue. As a result, the following years witnessed the production of many products featuring the pair's endorsement. Presented here is one of the rarest of such pieces: a Mickey Mantle-Roger Maris Returno "Pitch-N-Hit" game. This example has red as the primary color, as opposed to green, which we have previously offered. This game is especially appreciated by collectors for the attractive design of the box. The lid, which features die-cut portrait photos of Maris and Mantle, can be folded back to highlight their images and display the interior contents. Portrait images of Mantle and Maris are also displayed on the front and back side panels. The game is essentially a practice aid that allows two players to pitch and hit without having to chase the ball. The contents consist of a Mantle/Maris ball (featuring their facsimile signatures) that is attached to a string. The string is, in turn, attached to a plastic base that can be mounted into the ground by means of two accompanying steel pegs. Manufactured by Returno, Inc., of Long Island, New York. The box (13 x 9 x 3 inches) is in Poor condition, with heavy wear, split seams along multiple panels, and separation along Mantle's and Maris' portraits. The interior components remain in Excellent condition overall.