Fathers day 1952 mantle

fredo23

So my wife decided that for fathers day I can finally buy my holy grail of collecting... A 1952 topps Mickey Mantle. She gave me a budget of 5500. I wanted to know if it was possible to get one around that price and what's the best avenue to obtain one. The last thing I want to do is buy a fake, so any tips on what to look out or would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

addicted2ebay

If you get one on ebay make sure the seller has a history of selling high $ vintage cards!!!

purduepete

Whatever you do, stay away - stay far away - from Craigslist if you are going to pick up a 52 Topps Mantle.

Ironmanfan

go to the National & buy it there

IMF

Mdube16

<< <i>go to the National & buy it there

IMF >>



Agree with this if its possible.

If you cant go use a protected source for payment (credit card) and have it sent to PSA for review right away so you can be sure its real.

Big80s

Buy a PSA graded example. Buying raw Mantles can get risky. You can probably search eBay for a nice PSA 2 or 3. I would recommend finding one that's listed a little over your budget and sending them an offer that's within your budget.

tigerdean

IMHO, If you want something decent then the best you are looking at is a 2. You have an almost zero chance of finding a 2.5 at that price and if you do it most likely wont have very good eye appeal. My advice to you is that if you are already going that deep for a card then you should either put that money aside & wait until you have enough to buy a nice 2.5 or 3 or if you cant wait then sell some other stuff to come up with the extra money. There are just too many crappy PSA 2's out there & one just sold for $6700.00!!!! Good luck & god bless your great wife

MattyC

I would put the funds in an earmarked "52 Mantle Acct" and wait til there is just a little more there, then hit the national and hunt down a truly nice 2 or 2.5. Cash in hand always has a shot at striking a deal.

Eye appeal is everything with this card. Extremely OC or tattered examples with very little appeal can be found and had no problem, but a premium will always be paid for the nice ones of any grade-tier.

I guess most of this is obvious or already said above, but def try to buy from an ironclad reputable seller who is no stranger to high-end material. Ideally a return policy is there as well.

I too would send to PSA for review immediately after purchase; did that with mine and also brought it down again some months after the initial review to be re-holdered-- the review just gives you great peace of mind if you want.

Best of luck! Great present. It's an iconic piece to have in the PC.

bishop

Go to 707sportscards.com and look at the lower grade Mantles Levi has for sale on his web site. He has several. His prices tend to be high but his cards are all the real thing. No one knows more about that card than he does. If nothing else you can get an idea of how someone who knows that market prices them relative to condition. Got both of mine, the two variations, from him or after his review

tigerdean

IMO, Levi is just too overpriced, period!!!! He takes himself out of consideration for anybody who is an educated buyer on most all of his cards, especially the high end items.

bishop

I have only been collecting cards since 1957, and have a full run of Topps sets and packs, but some day I hope to get more educated like yourself .

But for now, I was really only referring him to a place where he can view a lot real Mantles in all kinds of grades for reference

Maurice

Buy it from 707.

jeffcbay

<< <i>I have only been collecting cards since 1957, and have a full run of Topps sets and packs, but some day I hope to get more educated like yourself .

But for now, I was really only referring him to a place where he can view a lot real Mantles in all kinds of grades for reference >>



I was also thinking 707. Sure you won't exactly get a bargain, but what you WILL get is a real Mantle. That's probably more important.

You have a full run of packs? Scans, please and thank you!

bishop

1951 and 1952. it would take awhile to do 1953 to 2012. Anthony can do it better since he has them in one big display. Mine are with the individual sets

jeffcbay

YES!