<< <i>I felt I had to choose between the 1952 Topps and my other favorite Mantle. I knew some day I could eventually get another '52 Topps, but as for replacing that other Mantle, no way. I have never regretted my decision, though. The card may not be as popular, but that is not the issue. The exquisite looks of the other Mantle easily matches the 1952 Topps, and its story is, if anything, a lot more enthralling, which is saying something most invidious. However, unless you know a lot about Stahl-Meyer Franks baseball cards, you would never believe me. >>
Hmmmm....are you saying you owned a Stahl-Meyer Mantle? I wasn't even aware such a thing exsisted. Don't tease, Inquiring minds want to know >>
Dear MantleMarisFordBerra, I expressed myself badly. Maybe I sounded a little coy. Regardless, the co-favorite of which I spoke of was a 1954 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle. Since I was writing an article about three Mantles for Sports Collectors Digest, I wanted to get them all graded. I approached PSA first, but they would not grade my complete 1962 JELL-O unfolded box of Mickey, nor did they have a holder for my 1960 Post Cereal Mantle. So, I had those two, plus the 1954 Stahl-Meyer all graded by SGC at the 2008 National.
The Stahl-Meyer came out a 50 VERY GOOD - EXCELLENT. It is the highest graded '54 S-M Mantle that SGC has graded, by far. While it would only be equivalent to a PSA 4, I happened to show it to J P Cohen after it was graded, since he had auctioned the one and only '54 PSA 4 in about 2005. He said mine presented a lot nicer than the one he auctioned. That was gratifying, as it seemed to confirm what I felt as well. The card has only one flaw, but it is a very small 5/8" slight front crease on the side of the card, which probably occurred when it was cut, or when it was handled in 1954. There are no stains whatsoever on it, and thus it was definitely never placed between the two rows of wet, greasy frankfurters. That baby is virtually dead center, which it just about has to be to avoid being mis-cut, since Stahl-Meyers were cut differently in 1954-55.
Hopefully, this will satisfy your inquiring mind. Also, in case you might thirst for more information on the Stahl-Meyers, Sports Collectors Digest should be running the final part of my article, "A Tale of Three Treasures" some time early this year. Don't hold your breath, though. However, I was overall very pleased with how my second part came out on the 1960 Post Cereal Sports Stars of Mickey Mantle. They edited it differently in a couple places than what I had intended. Still, they did a swell job.
Comments
<< <i>The most beautiful Mantle hands down
And alot rarer and cheaper than his other 52 card. Awesome.
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
in a PSA 7.5 slab right now
<< <i>My favorite is this one...Donato
That's a very nice 7 Donato!
mike
<< <i>
<< <i>I felt I had to choose between the 1952 Topps and my other favorite Mantle. I knew some day I could eventually get another '52 Topps, but as for replacing that other Mantle, no way. I have never regretted my decision, though. The card may not be as popular, but that is not the issue. The exquisite looks of the other Mantle easily matches the 1952 Topps, and its story is, if anything, a lot more enthralling, which is saying something most invidious. However, unless you know a lot about Stahl-Meyer Franks baseball cards, you would never believe me. >>
Hmmmm....are you saying you owned a Stahl-Meyer Mantle? I wasn't even aware such a thing exsisted. Don't tease, Inquiring minds want to know
Dear MantleMarisFordBerra, I expressed myself badly. Maybe I sounded a little coy. Regardless, the co-favorite of which I spoke of was a 1954 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle. Since I was writing an article about three Mantles for Sports Collectors Digest, I wanted to get them all graded. I approached PSA first, but they would not grade my complete 1962 JELL-O unfolded box of Mickey, nor did they have a holder for my 1960 Post Cereal Mantle. So, I had those two, plus the 1954 Stahl-Meyer all graded by SGC at the 2008 National.
The Stahl-Meyer came out a 50 VERY GOOD - EXCELLENT. It is the highest graded '54 S-M Mantle that SGC has graded, by far. While it would only be equivalent to a PSA 4, I happened to show it to J P Cohen after it was graded, since he had auctioned the one and only '54 PSA 4 in about 2005. He said mine presented a lot nicer than the one he auctioned. That was gratifying, as it seemed to confirm what I felt as well. The card has only one flaw, but it is a very small 5/8" slight front crease on the side of the card, which probably occurred when it was cut, or when it was handled in 1954. There are no stains whatsoever on it, and thus it was definitely never placed between the two rows of wet, greasy frankfurters. That baby is virtually dead center, which it just about has to be to avoid being mis-cut, since Stahl-Meyers were cut differently in 1954-55.
Hopefully, this will satisfy your inquiring mind. Also, in case you might thirst for more information on the Stahl-Meyers, Sports Collectors Digest should be running the final part of my article, "A Tale of Three Treasures" some time early this year. Don't hold your breath, though. However, I was overall very pleased with how my second part came out on the 1960 Post Cereal Sports Stars of Mickey Mantle. They edited it differently in a couple places than what I had intended. Still, they did a swell job.
Take care. Salute. --IndianaJones (Brian Powell)