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1959 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 10

Does any recall an article, I think it might have been in SMR Magazine, about a collector whose favorite card was a 1959 Topps Mickey Mantle? My recollection of the article is that the collector, as a kid, wasn't able to get the Mantle because someone wouldn't sell or trade it to him and many years later, he was able to obtain the Mantle and in a PSA 10. My recollection is that the article is probably from 10-15 years ago.

Comments

  • HarnessracingHarnessracing Posts: 529 ✭✭✭✭

    Is it about the 2 boxes that were open and put back in the wrapper and the buyer started going thru them on a plane?

  • bgrbgr Posts: 2,705 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The guy who would open the packs and look at the cards and then return them to the packs and put them away?

  • HarnessracingHarnessracing Posts: 529 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2025 6:07PM

    It was a story I remember hearing 20+ yrs ago
    A major dealer bought the 2 boxes. The original owner opened them and took the gum and put the cards back in the wrapper where it sat for like 50+ yrs.

  • mintonlyplsmintonlypls Posts: 2,451 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2025 7:48PM

    The story I heard at the National in Cleveland one year is that Memory Lane bought/found a box or two of 1959 1st series wax boxes from someone in New Mexico...and one of the Memory Lane dealers said he was the person who pulled the '59 Mantle PSA-10 from a wax pack. Subsequently...it was sold to a customer of Memory Lane who had a beautiful collection of Mantle cards with a number in PSA-10 holders on display at the Memory Lane booth at the National that year.

    mint_only_pls
  • HarnessracingHarnessracing Posts: 529 ✭✭✭✭

    That’s it Mint, I can’t remember his name but that’s what I was thinking

  • mintonlyplsmintonlypls Posts: 2,451 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think the collector's name is Spence.

    mint_only_pls
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2025 10:06PM

    Donald Spence? He had an amazing set run at one time but later sold them. He must have kept a few cards because he recently listed on eBay and sold a 1976 PSA 9 Joe Torre card.

    I I thought Memory Lane had a 1959 wax box where the packs were still sealed. I remember that because I wanted a 1959 nickel pack and was sad they opened them all. I did get a nice PSA 8 common from that find. It's mint except for the centering just barely qualifying it for an 8.

  • mintonlyplsmintonlypls Posts: 2,451 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2025 11:39PM

    gemint...

    Yes, Donald Spence. I understood that the 1959 Mantle PSA-10 came from an unopened wax box, too.

    mint_only_pls
  • A related topic not specific to question Donald Spence's 51 Bowman Mantle in a 10 ended up with owner of the Dback's collection.

    Mike

    Collecting Buster Posey PSA 10's or BGS 9.5's/10's
  • 1951WheatiesPremium1951WheatiesPremium Posts: 6,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you’ve got the correct answer already then this is moot. However, another guy with a chance of having it is Marshall Fogel.

    He shows off his cards in this video and if you’re a fan of vintage cards then this one’s worth the watch.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JSPqYkMCoyE

    Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest

  • 1951WheatiesPremium1951WheatiesPremium Posts: 6,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry that is memorabilia, this is the cards…

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4glWKPt5WQ4

    Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest

  • mintonlyplsmintonlypls Posts: 2,451 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 1, 2025 10:01AM

    Marshall Fogel flips/handles those slabs onto the table like they are worth a 1988 Donruss Gregg Jeffries! Yikes…

    Wasn’t 1988 Donruss Jefferies a SP? If so…it still doesn’t help the value of that card today. Jeffries was the reason that I stopped speculating on modern players having HOF careers …and focused on vintage HOFs. Proven HOFs…

    mint_only_pls
  • jraytayjraytay Posts: 163 ✭✭✭

    @mintonlypls said:
    Marshall Fogel flips/handles those slabs onto the table like they are worth a 1988 Donruss Gregg Jeffries! Yikes…

    Wasn’t 1988 Donruss Jefferies a SP? If so…it still doesn’t help the value of that card today. Jeffries was the reason that I stopped speculating on modern players having HOF careers …and focused on vintage HOFs. Proven HOFs…

    Same here but my busts were Mike Greenwell and Benito Santiago.

  • 1982FBWaxMemories1982FBWaxMemories Posts: 1,968 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 1, 2025 5:32PM

    @jraytay said:

    @mintonlypls said:
    Marshall Fogel flips/handles those slabs onto the table like they are worth a 1988 Donruss Gregg Jeffries! Yikes…

    Wasn’t 1988 Donruss Jefferies a SP? If so…it still doesn’t help the value of that card today. Jeffries was the reason that I stopped speculating on modern players having HOF careers …and focused on vintage HOFs. Proven HOFs…

    Same here but my busts were Mike Greenwell and Benito Santiago.

    Important to note that those 3 players all had solid careers, Most players would love to have careers with their numbers. Still solid careers do not make solid investments in Trading Cards!

    It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)

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