My Latest Project: Bowman Mantle Fist - COMPLETED
vintagefun
Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
I grew up as a Topps fan. And thus, my return to collecting was almost exclusively Topps focused. That is until I got most of the way thru the First Ballot PW HOF Registry. Then I got the bug for completion. Scooped up my 48/49s and was left with the 51s of Mantle and Mays. I secured those around the same time I was finishing my Mays Topps Basic, and while I do have some other projects near completion, I was still looking for the next on-deck project.
Knowing pretty full well that the 52 Mantle is not in the cards, I turned my attention to the idea of completing the Bowman Mantle 5 card run, since I already had the RC. But I was still unsure, until I recently picked up a collection of a few raw 60s Micks and then I knew, the Bowman run was a must. And his Bowman cards are all quite nice, and the project could be completed for a pretty reasonable cost. I considered calling it my high 5 project, but in reality, at completion, I won't have anyone around to high 5 with, and am far more likely to clench a fist and do a Kirk Gibson home run trot, arm motion and all.
Here's the RC that started the project.
Then the search began, and the 4x bucks from a few weeks back, finally put these 2 additions within a range I liked.
This will put the 53 and 55 near the top of my list for National unless I find something before.
Gotta say, as someone who always liked Mickey, but didn't own much...and having been burned before on my very first Mick card (raw 56 purchase) years ago...I had been hesitant to buy Micks. Especially when, at the time, I didn't see myself ever owning his RC, and my focus was RCs.
But once that first Mick hits home, so does the "bug" to get more. Consider me bitten...and smitten. Though I expect once the Bowman run is done, I'll take far more time on the Topps run...minus 52, and focus on more realistic goals.
I'll update this thread as the last 2 find their ways to my home in the not too distant future.
Thanks for reading.
Jim
Knowing pretty full well that the 52 Mantle is not in the cards, I turned my attention to the idea of completing the Bowman Mantle 5 card run, since I already had the RC. But I was still unsure, until I recently picked up a collection of a few raw 60s Micks and then I knew, the Bowman run was a must. And his Bowman cards are all quite nice, and the project could be completed for a pretty reasonable cost. I considered calling it my high 5 project, but in reality, at completion, I won't have anyone around to high 5 with, and am far more likely to clench a fist and do a Kirk Gibson home run trot, arm motion and all.
Here's the RC that started the project.
Then the search began, and the 4x bucks from a few weeks back, finally put these 2 additions within a range I liked.
This will put the 53 and 55 near the top of my list for National unless I find something before.
Gotta say, as someone who always liked Mickey, but didn't own much...and having been burned before on my very first Mick card (raw 56 purchase) years ago...I had been hesitant to buy Micks. Especially when, at the time, I didn't see myself ever owning his RC, and my focus was RCs.
But once that first Mick hits home, so does the "bug" to get more. Consider me bitten...and smitten. Though I expect once the Bowman run is done, I'll take far more time on the Topps run...minus 52, and focus on more realistic goals.
I'll update this thread as the last 2 find their ways to my home in the not too distant future.
Thanks for reading.
Jim
52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
0
Comments
Best of luck with the '53 and '55.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
-George F. Will
edit: h#ll, after going back and looking at the others, be very proud of them all. you have a great eye!
Dissenting opinion: 54 is the best for me. Great smile and looks pretty happy to be playing some baseball.
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.
<< <i>Dissenting opinion: 54 is the best for me. Great smile and looks pretty happy to be playing some baseball. >>
I concur with your dissent. My favorite Mantle card and the first one I ever owned.
Jmaciu's Collection
Can't take my eyes off of these beauties, but I'm especially fond of your 51. This is my ocd kicking into high gear, but man I love the placement of that wrinkle/crease. Running parallel to his arm makes it look so natural, imo -- and it certainly trumps vertical tracks on his back. Toss in above-average centering & registration, and dare I say you caught one on the screws, my friend.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
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.
Since I was putting it away with the others, it seemed like a good time for a group photo to close our the thread...
Dave
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
-George F. Will
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.
Jmaciu's Collection
Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.