1952 Topps Mantle #311 - Real or Fake?

jayman5682

I recently purchased this card and was told that the original owner found it in a book when he was going through his old stuff. The original owner claimed that it belonged to him when he was a child. I paid $3500 for it. I have owned two 52 mantles before, but both were the other variation so I'm not as familiar with this one (yankees logo black box complete). I have also owned a bunch of 52 topps cards and the paper stock of this feels and smells correct. I don't want to have it graded because I want to be able to take it out and hold it (also, it's not in any condition where I would be worries about it being damaged when held). I'm thinking about paying $30 to have beckett do a raw card review and then I can just take it out easily enough, but let me know if you think it's real or fake and why. Thanks!

And just so you know, every crease/wrinkle can be felt when you touch it. The paper loss on the front of the top of the card can be felt very slightly as if that's where it was worn a little more.

http://s372.beta.photobucket.com/user/curiousjim10/library/52 Mantle

gameusedhoop

For the link impaired:

mrmint23

I suggest posting on net54...Something looks off.

jeff8877

Mantle is legit...have been in the market for one for a while. Congrats on pick up.

Jeff

BaltimoreYankee

Slightly off topic but this is the first time I read the back of Mick's rookie card. "Switch hitting Mickey is heralded as Joe DiMaggio's successor". I'd say they got that one right!

Piggs

Looks good.

canjond

I'm going against the other posts here... While holding the card in hand would help me decide for sure, I don't like it - the dot matrix pattern looks off to me. I just looped my graded '52 Mantle, and it was different.

Dpeck100

I am by no means an expert but this looks real to me and if it is not many card collectors need to be concerned.

If this is a fake with this kind of accurate detail and a very handled and less then desirable copy there is a ton of bogus stuff out there.

I am going to say real.

mygotta

I'm going out on a limb here and chiming in with my two cents for what its worth. I have never seen a 52 Mantle in person, so take what I say with a grain of salt. However, I have worked in printing for a decent number of years. To me, there are inconsistencies between the printing and the wear of the card. It is a very nicely centered card, but the printing seems wrong. It almost seems to have a moire pattern, which usually you can see when registration is off with the color plates. Also the printing looks new. The colors are good, but the dots might be too big, which is why they are showing up so easily. Even the background they are visibile. And I'm not talking about the closeup.

The wear of the card looks forced. The parallel creases, the rubbed corners, the scraped background, yet a nice white border. It all looks like it was done yesterday. Theres no age to any of the problem areas.

I dont have anything to compare it with and dont know what Topps had to print with back in 52, but this just my knee-jerk reaction to seeing the card. I hope I am wrong.

jayman5682

Here's another scan of the card. Is it possible that you can see the print dots because the scan and the photos are done with a very high resolution camera and scanner? In person you can't see the print dots unless you hold it extremely close to your eyes. I have compared it next to an authentic 52 topps card and the printing, card stock, thickness seem to be the same. Also, the cardstock is not a firm new sturdy card. You can feel the age in it (if that makes sense - I have held tons of vintage 50s cards and it has that 52 topps-56 topps feel to it. I also put a photo of another 52 topps card I have that is 100% original. You can see the printing seems to be the same in every respect. I appreciate all of your help!

http://s372.beta.photobucket.com/user/curiousjim10/media/mantle 2/mantle1.png.html

Piggs

Now that I look at this photo, the borders being so white for such a roughed up card looks strange to me.





Updated Photo

mygotta

@jayman - you posted this thread. why do you suspect a fake? clearly you have some doubts, otherwise you would not have posed the question.

MattyC

The dot pattern we see in the magnification of the lower part of the card (especially visible to the left of the Yankee box) is exactly what it's supposed to look like. It matches the printing pattern of all the PSA and SGC graded examples I have seen, including one I examined in hand just now. Obviously the card stock is something we can't speak to. The borders are not snow white, and I've seen whiter on legit, graded 311s. Would be interesting to have PSA grade it just to see how it turns out, could always have it loose after they weigh in. But I can say those two things about the printing pattern and borders, fwiw.

Indy78

The white/clean look to the card may have occurred from soaking it in water. I've soaked a few 50's and 60's beater cards, and found it to be quite effective at removing dirt.

bishop

For comparison



I got these years back from Levi ( 707). If you send it to him, I think he will tell you if it is ok. I would take his view over anyone's , even PSA...and he is honest as the day is long. Contact him through his web site and ask him if he will take a look at it for you