i will soon be in the market for a 52 topps mantle....

benderbroeth · February 21, 2012 9:19AM

what is the best way to get one, without spending 5,000 on ebay for a garbage psa 1 ? i will be looking to spend somewhere between $2,000-3,000, i will be in the market in a few months but thought since this will be such a large purchase to start looking now. thanks

baseballfan · February 21, 2012 9:26AM

good luck with it i hope to be looking for one before the end of the year same range.

are you looking for one graded?

corvette1340 · February 21, 2012 9:26AM

<< what is the best way to get one, without spending 5,000 on ebay for a garbage psa 1 ? i will be looking to spend somewhere between $2,000-3,000, i will be in the market in a few months but thought since this will be such a large purchase to start looking now. thanks >>

If you get one below $3000 that is PSA graded anything please direct me to the seller so I can buy the rest of his inventory of Mantle's. I gave over $11,000 for my PSA 5 a few years back and have owned a couple of 1's and 2's. I've never gave less than $3000 or even heard of a graded one selling for below that.

benderbroeth · February 21, 2012 9:42AM

yeah graded would be best, i can go higher i just do not want to pay $5,000 on ebay for the garbage buy it now cards

ThoseBackPages · February 21, 2012 9:46AM

Go to the National. Bring cash.

nam812 · February 21, 2012 9:57AM

Yayerness.

Ironmanfan · February 21, 2012 10:10AM

Craigslist

WalterSobchak · February 21, 2012 10:19AM

Maybe look for one with nice eye appeal that is simply graded "authentic" as opposed to a number grade?

bobbyw8469 · February 21, 2012 10:25AM

Your sights are set too high and your money is set too low. Either lower your sights, or raise your capital.......

Probstein123 · February 21, 2012 10:36AM

the card is just too hot, you'll have to just win one...

JHS5120 · February 21, 2012 10:50AM

Yikes!!! Good luck with that price range!

12/15/11 eBay cardsandcoins579 i***0 Best Offer $4,150.00
10/31/11 eBay mphcls90nc 4***a BIN $5,900.00
10/28/11 eBay bearcat-doug d***3 BIN $4,295.00
8/1/11 eBay dcreek1 -***t Best Offer $4,350.00
7/28/11 Huggins & Scott $5,287.50
6/26/11 eBay dalezkardz e***r 42 $3,729.00
5/27/11 Legendary 37 $7,170.00

Dpeck100 · February 21, 2012 11:02AM

What am I missing here? Have you not been in the market for this card for a few years and just did not realize the price ranges?

Here is a PSA 2 that just sold last month for $6,500.

1952 Mantle

For the price range you have outlined it would seem you will need to be looking for a totally mangled example in an AUTH holder.

Here is an example of an SGC 1 and even it is $3,600.

1952 SGC 1

I would save up another 5k or so if you are going to be looking to buy one and have a decent example.

brendanb438 · February 21, 2012 11:12AM

As others have stated if you want one that is authentic you are gonna have to spend more money than $2K to $3K. Now if you prefer to just get a knockoff in a knockoff PSA case than maybe you will get lucky, because if you stumble upon anyone selling a graded one in that price range that could go under the category of if it is too good to be true.....

jivan · February 21, 2012 11:56AM

you can get a GAI for that money... do it !

benderbroeth · February 21, 2012 2:53PM

<< What am I missing here? Have you not been in the market for this card for a few years and just did not realize the price ranges?

Here is a PSA 2 that just sold last month for $6,500.

1952 Mantle

For the price range you have outlined it would seem you will need to be looking for a totally mangled example in an AUTH holder.

Here is an example of an SGC 1 and even it is $3,600.

1952 SGC 1

I would save up another 5k or so if you are going to be looking to buy one and have a decent example. >>

your sgc example is the same as another one being sold by tobgun cards.....???????????

Dpeck100 · February 21, 2012 8:09PM

Bender I spent just a moment searching EBAY for examples and I have no clue if it is the same or not.

The point was you are hoping for a back to the future moment to pull of getting a Mantle for $2,000 and maybe as high as $3,000.

You will just to need to put together more funds if you want the card. Period.

gecko109 · February 21, 2012 8:18PM

Im in the market for a 1 ounce gold coin. I want to spend somewhere around $800-$1,000.

CardboardKeeper · February 21, 2012 10:32PM

go to the national, bring a stack of 100's , that should get you a CASH DISCOUNT to bring the amount into your range

KbKards · February 22, 2012 3:49AM

And if somebody should offer you an unbelievable deal on anything that resembles Ebay's latest Craigslist's gem, item 170769623635 and then again 170785949122, walk them over to the PSA booth for their opinion on your possible purchase.

MattyC · February 22, 2012 4:10AM

The fact is that the card in a low grade will never cost that little. And if you want one that is remotely appealing, I mean with even a modicum of eye appeal, that would take it to the ceiling of its assigned grade-- and thus command a premium.

The majority of 1s, 2s, and 3s are ugly. We're talking terribly OC, sometimes paper loss, scuffs or creases that mar The Mick's face, etc. If you examine VCP scans, like with any card, you will see that the better-presenting examples will sell for a significant premium.

Case in point:

Normal 3s will cost what they do on average. This 3 would never be had for VCP avg. The same holds for any grade's avg examples versus the standouts...

I thank the card gods every day for the small crease at the bottom of this card. A fellow collector once said that is the best place ever for a crease on a 52 Mantle. Without that crease, which I hardly notice in hand, the card would have cost me so much more. Finding a 52 Mantle in presentable low grade is a long process, and when you find The One You Want, you need to jump all over it with the swiftness and be prepared to go over VCP avg.

One day I hope to sell this one and step up to Probstein's staggeringly gorgeous PSA 7. Sure looks like an 8 to me!

WinPitcher · February 22, 2012 5:02AM

Bender

Why not try for a 51 Bowman instead?

WalterSobchak · February 22, 2012 5:10AM

<< Bender

Why not try for a 51 Bowman instead? >>

Not a bad idea. You could get a nice looking PSA 3 or 4 within (or close to) your budgeted range. I'd much rather have that than a '52 Topps example that looks like hell.

NickM · February 22, 2012 5:20AM

IMO people are being too hard on him. Right now he could pick up a SGC 10 for $4K on ebay with no problems, and there are 3 different PSA 1s between $4K and $5K, each with best offer feature. It's not unreasonable to get a PSA 1 (especially a new 1, graded on the half-point scale) for $3K, especially if the deal can be arranged to be a cash transaction (e.g., at a major show).

Nick

MattyC · February 22, 2012 5:33AM

Yes, but he said a nice low grade example. The hypothetical standout low grade 311 would attract a lot of buyers, many of whom would be learned and ready to pay a premium-- thus taking it out of the OP's stated range. I think it always helps to have well-managed expectations, that are tempered by market reality. limits buying frustration for sure.

WinPitcher · February 22, 2012 5:47AM

The 52 Topps is an over rated, double printed, pumped up 2nd year card.

The 51 Bowman is where I'd put my money. I would if I didn't have the 52 (Bowman) already.

Steve

mccardguy1 · February 22, 2012 6:11AM

<< The 52 Topps is an over rated, double printed, pumped up 2nd year card.

The 51 Bowman is where I'd put my money. I would if I didn't have the 52 (Bowman) already.

Steve >>

All of this may be true but the 52 Topps is THE Mantle card everyone wishes they had. The 1951 Bowman is nice but the 52 Topps is the card that makes the eyes go wide!! I understand his want for the 52 Topps even if it isnt really a true rookie card!

MattyC · February 22, 2012 6:50AM

I agree the 51 Bowman is a sleeper card. I adore that card. It's undervalued, but that's obviously just my opinion-- since the market is what it is and the sales stats can't be denied.

While it's true the 52 Topps is a DP-- that's a bit specious of a criticism of the card. The demand for that iconic card clearly far outstrips the DP factor.

In the end, it's what the OP desires most. There's personal preferences, sentimental value, aesthetics, so many individual factors that go into who chooses what card to buy.

Edit: in my opinion, the only solution when it comes to which of those two Mantles to own is GET'EM BOTH! They are both awesome. One is his true RC, which features a pleasant, idyllic cloudy background. The other has been anointed by the zeitgeist as THE postwar card. It's his first Topps card, and Topps became the dominant company. It's also, to many, an aesthetically pleasing image, with the bold background and more detailed pic of the subject than the 51 card.

prthd · February 22, 2012 6:54AM

$ 2200

prthd · February 22, 2012 6:58AM

$ 300

Dpeck100 · February 22, 2012 7:00AM

That would definitely classify as a totally mangled one in an AUTH holder.

mlbfan2 · February 22, 2012 7:08AM

<< The 52 Topps is an over rated, double printed, pumped up 2nd year card. >>

Doesn't the fact that it's from the high # series far outweigh the fact that it's double printed?

WalterSobchak · February 22, 2012 7:21AM

<< $ 300 >>

I think that one spent a few years next to Butch Coolidge's father's watch.

bobbyw8469 · February 22, 2012 7:37AM

The $300 appears to be a fake. The bidder paid $290 too much.

benderbroeth · February 22, 2012 9:24AM

i think i goofed in my initial idea of what a 1952 topps mantle costs lol, i like the idea of going to the national though.

1954 · February 22, 2012 9:33AM

Never going to be please with a purchase for that card under $3000. You need to wait until you have $6K to have some nice choices....IMO

WinPitcher · February 22, 2012 9:58AM

<< Doesn't the fact that it's from the high # series far outweigh the fact that it's double printed? >>

I don't think so. It's not like it's scarce or anything. It's price point is where it is
because the Mick played in NY and during the 80's it was pumped up by NY dealers and shakers. Don't get me wrong
it's an iconic card, for sure. It's value IMO seems almost illogical if you compare it
to many of his contemporaries.

WinPitcher · February 22, 2012 9:58AM

<< All of this may be true but the 52 Topps is THE Mantle card everyone wishes they had >>

See 'pumped up'

Stone193 · February 22, 2012 10:12AM

I have to say - wish I had picked up one up around 1989 - it was expensive then - but NOT like today!

mccardguy1 · February 22, 2012 10:15AM

<< 

<< All of this may be true but the 52 Topps is THE Mantle card everyone wishes they had >>

See 'pumped up' >>

I dont think pumped up. I have been collecting since 1973 and by 1978 when I was 14 years old wished I had a 52 Mantle. All my friends wished they had a 52 Mantle and this was when the only thing you would see about baseball cards is the ads in the back of the Sporting News and Baseball Digest for companies who will fill your sets for 5 cents per card. We lived in rural, northern Illinois and knew nothing of the hype but knew of this card. The first time I saw one in person in the very early 80's with Jim and Steve's cards in Waukegan, Illinois when Jim had shows in his living room (yes, living room) my eyes went wide and I could not wipe the drool off of my face. I believe at that time it was a $500 card but it could have been a million as I knew I could never get something like that. In my mind it may not be a rookie but it is a iconic hobby card that lives up to what 14 year olds dreamed it would and should be.

There may be some hype surrounding this card but there is also allot of grown up 14 year olds who who would love to own this card. I will never own one because I cannot see paying such a price for any card but for those who can afford it because its their dream to own it, I say go for it and enjoy it!!

Dpeck100 · February 22, 2012 10:24AM

The 1952 Topps set is perhaps the greatest baseball card set ever. The pictures on the cards are amazing, they over sized making storage very tough historically and it features the legendary first Topps issue of Micky Mantle.

Print runs are important but it does not matter here as the pool of buyers is constantly growing. This is the card of the last sixty years period.

The price range for baseball cards have expanded exponentially since the 1980's and it only makes since that this card followed suit and perhaps led the charge.

With hard assets growing in popularity I only see higher prices for this card going forward. The 1951 may be a better value but this card has captured the hearts of collectors for years and it is the Mantle to own for sure.

Buccaneer · February 22, 2012 10:55AM

For decades now, people have known about the 52 Topps card as well as his 51 Bowman rookie card and yet, the 52 card is still much more famous and valuable than the 51. And it will always be that way.

WinPitcher · February 22, 2012 11:48AM

If back in the 80's during the rookie card craze people were told that the 51 was
the true rookie, that card would have been the card of the Mick to own.

Instead, because the 52 was more abundant and most collectors at the time
had grown up with Topps, the 52 was the logical card to hype/pump.

Everything everyone has said here is true, I don't dispute any of it.

My only point is explaining why IMO it is why it is.

Steve

judgebuck · February 22, 2012 11:52AM

What Dpeck100 said makes perfect sense to me.

benderbroeth · February 22, 2012 2:57PM

i will be willing to pay more, i just vastly underestimated the price. lol because most buy it now on ebays are way over priced i figured the 52 mantles were too

i will soon be in the market for a 52 topps mantle....

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