Finally got my 1956 Mantle - big thanks to Jeff at Card Country!
KendallCat
Posts: 3,009 ✭✭✭✭✭
A while back I posted about looking for a 1956 Mantle in high grade - either a high end PSA 8 or a nicely centered 8.5. Over the holidays I was able to pick up a nice PSA 8 example from Steve Hart at BBCE that was as nice as the last few that PWCC and Probstein sold for over $5k and $6k. Right after I posted about looking for the PSA 8.5 PWCC listed one in their January auction which quickly went through the roof on day one.
About the same time the auction pops up I get an email from Jeff at Card Country who I met at the National in Cleveland last year. First time I had met him and anyone who has seen his inventory knows one thing - if you want to see an inventory of high end, well centered cards this is the place to go. I gave him a list of cards which I asked him to keep an eye out for, and over the next several months he was able to pick up some great cards for me from my list.
Then one day I get the email - " I think I've hit gold for you" is the title, and he says he might have found a big card off of my list. After a few weeks and some back and forth emails with scans... we get a deal done for the Mantle. All I can say is this is one of the rare times where the card in hand looks better than the scans. The scans looked incredible when he sent them to me, and could not be more pleased with the card. In addition to the 8.5 I also picked up a 1956 white back in a PSA 4 that is dead centered as a surprise for my 10 year old.
Cannot say enough good things about the cards and my dealings with Jeff, and I am pretty sure everyone on this board that has dealt with him has the same type of stories. Too often we only hear about the horror stories in this hobby where someone gets a raw deal or a card that is fake or other, and hardly ever do we hear about the good stuff. This is one of the times where the hobby worked, and thank you again for helping a collector nail down one more card on my list.
About the same time the auction pops up I get an email from Jeff at Card Country who I met at the National in Cleveland last year. First time I had met him and anyone who has seen his inventory knows one thing - if you want to see an inventory of high end, well centered cards this is the place to go. I gave him a list of cards which I asked him to keep an eye out for, and over the next several months he was able to pick up some great cards for me from my list.
Then one day I get the email - " I think I've hit gold for you" is the title, and he says he might have found a big card off of my list. After a few weeks and some back and forth emails with scans... we get a deal done for the Mantle. All I can say is this is one of the rare times where the card in hand looks better than the scans. The scans looked incredible when he sent them to me, and could not be more pleased with the card. In addition to the 8.5 I also picked up a 1956 white back in a PSA 4 that is dead centered as a surprise for my 10 year old.
Cannot say enough good things about the cards and my dealings with Jeff, and I am pretty sure everyone on this board that has dealt with him has the same type of stories. Too often we only hear about the horror stories in this hobby where someone gets a raw deal or a card that is fake or other, and hardly ever do we hear about the good stuff. This is one of the times where the hobby worked, and thank you again for helping a collector nail down one more card on my list.
0
Comments
Congrats on a blazer!
Great write-up, too. Good to see credit given where due.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
More importantly, Jeff and his family are The Nicest People I've EVER met in this hobby of ours.
i would go to The National, JUST to talk to them. i am dead serious.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
either way..beautiful card. id have been convinced it was a nine.
Congratulations on your pickup - the best!
Congrats on an iconic pick up.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
"Molon Labe"
Jmaciu's Collection
<< <i>Thats an awesome card. Congrats! around what does he charge you if i may ask? i know the general range because I've been looking for one. just asking because I'm wondering if he's like 707sportscards or more near vcp.
>>
I've always found Jeff's pricing to be very fair. However, in my opinion, it's not reasonable to expect to pay VCP for a card with exceptional centering and eye appeal. The card is way above average for the grade, so I would expect the price to be above average as well.
As a side note, I worked with Jeff on a purchase of a 1956 mantle graded PSA 7 a few years ago, and he was great to work with and I enjoy talking with Jeff's dad and Jeff every time we go to the national or sun times show. They are very personable and we always end up chatting for 10 to 15 minutes or so every time we visit, and Jeff always asks how my registry set is going, which I appreciate.
Jeremy
Again..awesome Mick
<< <i>Thats an awesome card. Congrats! around what does he charge you if i may ask? i know the general range because I've been looking for one. just asking because I'm wondering if he's like 707sportscards or more near vcp.
either way..beautiful card. id have been convinced it was a nine. >>
As far as price it was fair in relation to VCP so I was pleased - I don't deal with many who price near the "other one" you mentioned but you obviously know the biz and that seller.
With so few recent sales in this grade and with 8's jumping in the last 6-8 months I have been a buyer of this card. Mantle rookies are off the charts, 53's are usually not sold, and the next Topps card is 1956 which is a bargain for several reasons. Rookies in an 8 are over $200k, 53's are in the $20+ range, and he does not have a 54 or 55 Topps issue. Next in line is the 1956 which happens to be his Triple Crown year and the most popular Topps set graded by PSA in the 50's based on submission numbers. Factor in the fact it is 25% the cost of the previous Topps Mantle (1953) and it is a bargain. Thank you for all of the nice comments.
<< <i>even through it is a 3... even though it is a 5... >>
I personally abhor this perspective. The sticker is not the thing.
KC-- Great looking '56 Mick!
Instagram: mattyc_collection
And thanks to all for such nice comments. I'm thankful for all the good relationships I've formed with you all, and I'm looking forward to many more visits, discussions, stories, and deals.
Jeff
Card Country
Graded stars 1950's-1980
VCP is a great tool, but I use it as a guide to be used to get a feel for value. I have no clue why that card is not in a PSA 9 holder, but just because PSA says it's an 8.5, doesn't mean anyone should expect to pay average 8.5 VCP money for a 56T Mantle that looks like this. I always expect to pay a premium for cards of that caliber.
Jeff's integrity and honesty make this a much better hobby. He has a great eye for top notch cards that are the best you can find for the grade. I just feel like he needs to add more Johnny Bench rookies to his inventory...
TheClockworkAngelCollection
I collect: 80’s Rookies and 86 Fleer Basketball
As for Jeff...he once turned a vampire into a vegetarian.
someone else..I'm aware mantles have been at a premium over vcp. i was just asking in general where his prices fell. because some dealers are waaaay over a reasonable premium to even those adjusted prices.
card country..hearing a lot of good things about you and haven't run into you yet. if you have any mantles 8s or 9s and 1965 or prior let me know.
awesome 56 mick you found for kendallcat.
I have a feeling I've dealt with him (Chicago Sun Times shows), because this guy and his family were probably the nicest, most helpful people at that show.
There are a few things that I know as certain. Jeff Foy is a man with integrity that am I lucky to call my friend. People like Jeff is what make this hobby fun. Those of you that know him also know just darn funny he is also. A true family man and I hope that I have years ahead of dealing with him.
I was part of a 3-way deal that landed him that killer 8.5 and I didn't know he was thinking of you Keith. After the deal was over I asked him for a price on it because it is truly an awesome card. He protected it for you the entire time and this again just showed me why I like dealing with him. Congrats on such a great card Keith!
Brady
TheClockworkAngelCollection
<< <i>Ok- here goes my first post ever on the boards.
There are a few things that I know as certain. Jeff Foy is a man with integrity that am I lucky to call my friend. People like Jeff is what make this hobby fun. Those of you that know him also know just darn funny he is also. A true family man and I hope that I have years ahead of dealing with him.
I was part of a 3-way deal that landed him that killer 8.5 and I didn't know he was thinking of you Keith. After the deal was over I asked him for a price on it because it is truly an awesome card. He protected it for you the entire time and this again just showed me why I like dealing with him. Congrats on such a great card Keith!
Brady >>
Welcome Brady.
I'm inferring this was your card? If so - very nice.
If that's indicative of your collection? My hats off to you.
Looking forward to your posts.
As everyone else has already said, Jeff is one of the best guys to deal with in our hobby and I love stopping by his booth to chat with him and his dad. Only problem is occasionally some shady CU guys are hanging over there.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
<< <i>Ok- here goes my first post ever on the boards.
There are a few things that I know as certain. Jeff Foy is a man with integrity that am I lucky to call my friend. People like Jeff is what make this hobby fun. Those of you that know him also know just darn funny he is also. A true family man and I hope that I have years ahead of dealing with him.
I was part of a 3-way deal that landed him that killer 8.5 and I didn't know he was thinking of you Keith. After the deal was over I asked him for a price on it because it is truly an awesome card. He protected it for you the entire time and this again just showed me why I like dealing with him. Congrats on such a great card Keith!
Brady >>
Brady:
Very accurate on all accounts regarding Jeff, and I think it is just in the family DNA - when I met his dad and whole family in Cleveland at the National they went out of their way to help out with everything we looked at during the show. As good of a sense of humor that he has his better half might have him beat!
Although we only bought one Mantle(a beautiful 68 in PSA 8) I told my wife after the show that was the best looking inventory I had seen in 10 years at the National. In my previous collecting days I bought all of my Aaron's, Mantle's, and Williams from only 3 dealers, and I think once you find good people to deal with it is better to go narrow and deep in regards to transactions. Outside of a few Ebay transactions all of my transactions have been through Jeff, and if you remember the cards I posted about 5-6 weeks ago asking about should I send in for regrades all but one came from Jeff - a few of them made it back to his inventory recently and doubt they will last long
Thank you for the background story on the card, and I can assure you it is in good hands. I just recently got back into collecting about 2 years ago when my son started little league and we started collecting. The great thing is he has followed my passion and only collects vintage stuff - Aaron, Mantle, Clemente, Mays, Ryan, Bench..., and these will be his cards when he gets older. I was also able to pick up a beautiful white back 56 Mantle in PSA 4 that had great centering in the deal which he gets now and is super excited about it. You are correct about him protecting the card for me and going above and beyond on that card for me, and he has nailed several cards for me on my list in the same manner.
We are now in saving mode for the National, or until the next email I get with an offer I can't refuse! I know little guy has asked for a nice 1956 Aaron centered in PSA 8/8.5 so that will happen shortly.
Thank you again for all the nice comments, and I hope everyone has as much fun as a family as we do with the hobby. My wife has been to about 6 Nationals with me starting with our oldest one when he was younger, and we are already booked for Chicago for the Natty - she enjoys it as much as we do and always says if you enjoy it and want to buy it go ahead. Here is a little card eye candy of the little guy in 2013 with a card he asked mom if he could buy