Your thoughts: 1952 Topps Mantle

r00kies101

Hello all,

I've stopped collecting about 4 years ago when I sold off all of my PSA graded cards. Now, I'm looking to get back into it and am looking to jump start my collection with one of the cards I've always wanted to own, a 1952 Topps Mantle PSA graded.

I've check eBay completed auctions, but wanted to get your opinion on what grade I can expect for $10-$15K.

Also, if anyone has any ligitimate leads besides eBay, feel free to PM me.

Thanks for your time and looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

larryallen73

I've thought about it myself. Would be awfully cool to own one. I haven't followed too closely but I imagine in that price range you would be looking at a low grade (PSA 3 or so?) card. Good luck in your quest.

cwazzy

According to vintagecardprices.com you could afford between a PSA 4 and a PSA 5. The average for the last five PSA 5 sales were just over $15,500. Hope this helps.

Chris

jrinck

Might as well go raw. Even a poor conditioned '52 Mantle is still a '52 Mantle, and even if it's trimmed or altered, it's still a '52 Mantle.

In my opinion, it's an achievement just to own one in ANY condition, and nobody is going to go ultra-goo-goo-gaga over any '52 Mantle unless it's PSA 7 or above, and how many of us can afford that?

You'll get just as much excitement showing a creased '52 Mantle as you would a PSA 5, so why not save some money at the same time?

cwazzy

<< <i>Might as well go raw. Even a poor conditioned '52 Mantle is still a '52 Mantle, and even if it's trimmed or altered, it's still a '52 Mantle.

In my opinion, it's an achievement just to own one in ANY condition, and nobody is going to go ultra-goo-goo-gaga over any '52 Mantle unless it's PSA 7 or above, and how many of us can afford that?

You'll get just as much excitement showing a creased '52 Mantle as you would a PSA 5, so why not save some money at the same time? >>



Although I agree in sentiment, with this card I would not buy raw. Mostly due to my inexperience with the set and, therefore, the guarantee that a PSA or SGC holder gives. But also for the protection that the slabs provide. I do not have a problem going with a lower grade though. But if I had the money set aside for the card and wanted the best possible for that money than I would try to get a 5 or a nicely centered 4.

Chris

r00kies101

Thanks for the replies everyone, looks like the setiment is PSA 4/5.

With regards to getting a raw card, my reason is exactly what cwazzy (Chris) pointed out.

cravetopps

based on what that fake 52 Mantle is selling for, I'd buy three or four hundred of them, sell them on ebay (living proof that there is a virtually unlimited pool of suckers), pocket the profit and get that PSA 7 you really want.

TNTonPMS

Whu?

TheCARDKid

If I was going to buy a '52 Mantle, I'd focus on finding one with great eye appeal.

Compared to other years (say, 53 Topps or 54), the '52 Mantle seems to be all over the place in terms eye appeal. It's got those wide borders that make o/c ones look bad. The blue background is important. The printing.

No offense to whoever owns this one..but the centering kills it..

O/C Mantle

I'd go for a perfectly centered 3 with a deep blue background vs an OC 5.

Look at all the ones 707 has got..

52 Mantles

Buccaneer

I agree with the Cardkid. The one from Memory Lane is not bad but I still would shop around for a nicely centered one.

Bosox1976

Gorgeous (relatively speaking) PSA 1 on ebay now... I don't think adding $10k more will get you a card that is 3x as attractive. Nice value pickup at this price point.

ebay linky

originalisbest

Visually appealing and centering is the key - regardless of grade. I'd love to own a well-centered, smooth, deep color G or VG that was that grade due to evenly rounded corners. EVERY time!

originalisbest

Totally agree with Bosox, that one for a PSA 1 is incredibly nice - you aren't going to get a bargain price for it though, as others will see that as well. Nice card.

Beardown

I was fortunate enough to be able to get this PSA 4 but would love to have a better centered one to match the other 1952 Topps that I have. Centering to me is top priority with my collection now more than it used to be when I bought that one and have since only been looking for centered 4's and paying close to PSA5 prices to get them (buy the card not the holder ..right?). For the money your talking I think a VERY nice PSA4 is reasonable.

originalisbest

Great cards, beardown.

r00kies101

What does everyone think about this?

Mantle PSA 4 eBay

cwazzy

<< <i>What does everyone think about this?

Mantle PSA 4 eBay >>



For that kind of money I would wait until I found one that you really liked. I am not a great grader but this doesn't look like a very high end 4. The centering isn't great and I don't like the crease in the upper right corner through the hat. If I were you I would wait. I think patience is a virtue in this situation.