What would you guys do here?

Downtown1974 · September 16, 2007 12:31PM

I have a cousin who collects cards. Unlike me, he is not too much into graded cards. Well, among his mostly raw collection he has a few high dollar slabbed cards. One of the cards is a 52 Topps Mantle graded PSA 4. Its not a great looking 4, but still I have always wanted this card in any grade. Well he was over the house last week and he was checking out the progress of my 1955 Topps set. (It is all in PSA 6). I will be close to 75% complete by the end of the week. He left me with something to ponder. He offered a deal that once I finished the 55 set within the same criteria as I have been building it so far, (mostly well centered 6s) he would trade me the Mantle for the whole set.
I have always wanted that card, but I really love this set, and I have had fun building it. I think the 55 set is a nice set to own. What would you guys do? I plan on finishing the set before Christmas. I think I will decline on the offer, but I would like some opinions. SMR aside, which would you rather have? Thanks in advance!

chaz43 · September 16, 2007 12:35PM

<< I have a cousin who collects cards. Unlike me, he is not too much into graded cards. Well, among his mostly raw collection he has a few high dollar slabbed cards. One of the cards is a 52 Topps Mantle graded PSA 4. Its not a great looking 4, but still I have always wanted this card in any grade. Well he was over the house last week and he was checking out the progress of my 1955 Topps set. (It is all in PSA 6). I will be close to 75% complete by the end of the week. He left me with something to ponder. He offered a deal that once I finished the 55 set within the same criteria as I have been building it so far, (mostly well centered 6s) he would trade me the Mantle for the whole set.
I have always wanted that card, but I really love this set, and I have had fun building it. I think the 55 set is a nice set to own. What would you guys do? I plan on finishing the set before Christmas. I think I will decline on the offer, but I would like some opinions. SMR aside, which would you rather have? Thanks in advance! >>

I would start another set. I have a 63' Rose rookie PSA 4 that I have had since 1964 and I wouldn't sell it for anything. To have a Mickey Mantle rookie is the ultimate for me. chaz

lawnmowerman · September 16, 2007 12:36PM

I would not do it Bob.

First off, you said the Mantle is not that eye appealing. Second you have fun and enjoy building your 55 set.

Plus you can always get a 52 Mantle card. I have about 10 of them that would probably grade 7 to 10 but Im trying to finish my Emmitt set. I cant be wasting money on anything else

mandeld · September 16, 2007 12:43PM

I think that's a pretty even trade, as far as value goes. A 55 set is one of my favorite sets, but #311 is the card to have. I think you'd have to do the Mantle unless you thought you just had a ton of extra value in your set b/c of your card picking ability.

Elemenopeo · September 16, 2007 12:44PM

Take the deal, then trade the '52 Mantle to me.

Just kidding. Don't take the deal. Hold on to the '55s.

TNP777 · September 16, 2007 12:48PM

Keep the '55 set. You've put your heart into it, and I'm thinking that trading 206 cards for one, even if it is one of "the" cards to own, would haunt you long term.

Geordie

baseballfanatic · September 16, 2007 12:50PM

Something I learned a long time ago:

Would I trade PSA 4 1952 Mantle for a 75% complete 1955 Topps set?
If I would, I'd keep my set.....

vintagetoppsguy · September 16, 2007 12:57PM

Take the deal. It's Mickey Mantle! Perhaps it could be the start of a '52 set in PSA 4-5 condition. You would have just as much fun (or more) building it than you did your '55.

goose3 · September 16, 2007 1:00PM

I'd take the Mantle and start the 52's in PSA4.

Downtown1974 · September 16, 2007 1:03PM

Ok, so most of you feel I should keep the set. I was leaning toward that too.

Chaz, I dont really want to start this set again. I think if I traded for it, I would be done with 55s. Even though they are only 6s, It has still been a daunting journey for me. I have sold alot of cards to fund this set.

Matt, I'll help you finish your Emmitts if you give me one of your Mantles in 7.

Mandeld, I think you're right. SMR pretty even trade I think.

Elemeno, TNP, BBfan, You're all in agreement that I will regret it. Thats what I am afraid of. A one card trade for 206 is a little crazy.

Allen · September 16, 2007 1:03PM

I think I would do it, but would depend how the Mantle looks.

Downtown1974 · September 16, 2007 1:07PM

<< Take the deal. It's Mickey Mantle! Perhaps it could be the start of a '52 set in PSA 4-5 condition. You would have just as much fun (or more) building it than you did your '55. >>

It would take too long to do a set like that at those prices. Not in the budget for me.

Downtown1974 · September 16, 2007 1:10PM

<< I think I would do it, but would depend how the Mantle looks. >>

Its not very eye appealing. O/C top to bottom and left to right. 3 rounded corners, but still a sweet card to own.

rube26105 · September 16, 2007 1:12PM

thats for sure 52 ,hi #s go outrageous,if you can run into somebody with a boxfull thats wants 20$ for em you're alright,but that dont happen too often anymore!20 years ago i had tons of 52s,sold em all,before grading was even a thought- i hate me lol-im not getting rid of anything else,ever,ecept for the stuff i got on ebay!!!
randy

Downtown1974 · September 16, 2007 1:18PM

Randy, Yes Hi # commons arent cheap. That set is out of the question for me right now.

I kinda have my mind made up....Im not going to make the trade.
I guess I was just wondering if you guys thought it was the right thing to do.

gotsparks09 · September 16, 2007 1:48PM

Yeah, don't do it.

Personally, if I had built a great looking near '55 set and traded it for ONE card - regardless of who it is or what card it is, I'd really miss the set (along with all the memories of blood, sweat, and tears it took to build it)

BobbyVCP · September 16, 2007 2:17PM

The latest value for a 1955 Topps set all in PSA 6 is $7,697.01

The last sale for a 52 Mantle PSA 4 is on 9/7/07 for $10,051.00 and the average price for the last 5 sales is $10,304.96

Taking into consideration your time and factor in shipping cost it may not be such a great deal for you to do this swap.

cohocorp · September 16, 2007 9:07PM

first, do you have the key cards to the set or do you still need them? one point i would like to make is that about a year ago i sold a weak psa 4 mantle via a large auction house. i only netted $8000, which is about right and thats what i paid for it. naturally i regretted consigning it at that point since i thought it would have gone higher. but the reality is that there is about a $4000 difference within the same grade (psa4) depending on the strength or weakness of the card. i have a psa 4 on ebay right now and have had numerous people offer me $11000, which i declined since its a strong example. these sell between $8000-$12000, depending greatly on eye appeal. overall, i suggest keeping the 1955 set.

Downtown1974 · September 17, 2007 2:24AM

<< first, do you have the key cards to the set or do you still need them? one point i would like to make is that about a year ago i sold a weak psa 4 mantle via a large auction house. i only netted $8000, which is about right and thats what i paid for it. naturally i regretted consigning it at that point since i thought it would have gone higher. but the reality is that there is about a $4000 difference within the same grade (psa4) depending on the strength or weakness of the card. i have a psa 4 on ebay right now and have had numerous people offer me $11000, which i declined since its a strong example. these sell between $8000-$12000, depending greatly on eye appeal. overall, i suggest keeping the 1955 set. >>

Coho, The deal for the Mantle is for a complete set of 55s. He offered the card once I complete it. I dont think I would make the deal even at its current completion. Once I am done, I will be that much happier with the set and will not want to give it up. I plan on finishing it in November at the Shriners show in Wilmington, MA. I need the Clemente, but have been waiting for the show to buy that card in person rather than ebay. I feel eventually I can get the Mantle, but building another set is quite an undertaking.

originalisbest · September 17, 2007 9:16AM

I guess what I want to know is, what would a decent '52 T Mantle run in good? With at least 80-20 centering. Or course, the more centered, the better - as that's the level I hope to get one at one day! After all, even if one doesn't collect '52 Topps as a set, few people would not want to add the premier postwar card to their collection.

Stone193 · September 17, 2007 11:28AM

This is a hard one Bob.

If I worked for a long time to put together a nice 6 set - which BTW, is one of the sweetest and affordable grades for postwar cards - all that work?

Just curious - what would be your plans for the set after completed?

If ya got into doing the set because it's early postwar and do-able at around 200 - and have no strong ties to the set?

Then, if the trade is equitable? The Mantle.

But, if ya really like the set and taking the time to find all nicely centered 6s?

The Set.

mike

Downtown1974 · September 17, 2007 1:29PM

Mike, The 1955 set for me is the product of my re-focus on collecting. I am happy to say I have not sunk hardly any money out of pocket for this set, but used money from cards that I sold. I gained focus and decided to do 1 set that I like, and stick with it until its done. Now that I am almost done, I already have my sights on my next project, 1960 Topps BB in PSA 7. I plan on selling more cards that I dont want or dont have room for to fund that set. Instead of having a ton of HOFers and stars from different years, I will just have them in the sets I build.
I chose the 55 set partly because its size of 206 cards, can be completed fairly quickly. The design is one of my favorites that Topps ever issued. The only thing I dislike about the set is the absence of Mickey Mantle, but the Sandy Koufax rookie has always been my favorite card.

My plans for the set are to just pull it out from time to time and enjoy looking through them. As would be the Mantle if I owned it.

Stone193 · September 17, 2007 1:43PM

<< Mike, The 1955 set for me is the product of my re-focus on collecting. I am happy to say I have not sunk hardly any money out of pocket for this set, but used money from cards that I sold. I gained focus and decided to do 1 set that I like, and stick with it until its done. Now that I am almost done, I already have my sights on my next project, 1960 Topps BB in PSA 7. I plan on selling more cards that I dont want or dont have room for to fund that set. Instead of having a ton of HOFers and stars from different years, I will just have them in the sets I build.
I chose the 55 set partly because its size of 206 cards, can be completed fairly quickly. The design is one of my favorites that Topps ever issued. The only thing I dislike about the set is the absence of Mickey Mantle, but the Sandy Koufax rookie has always been my favorite card.

My plans for the set are to just pull it out from time to time and enjoy looking through them. As would be the Mantle if I owned it. >>

This is just my opine.

I would get much more pleasure out of pulling an entire set out - the pics, the stats, the HOF'ers...

vs. pulling out one card - "yup, it's the Mick."

I have many Mick cards and I enjoy - way more - looking at one of my sets.

I don't have his RC - I was an idiot for not picking one up around 1989-90.

mike

rube26105 · September 17, 2007 1:52PM

i know what ya mean lol-20 years ago or so 52 topps went for next to nothing,about 1986 or so when i sold all my stuff,i need to find a old 1986 baseball cards magazine and see what common in 52 were, let alone the hi #s and the mantle!i had a ton of good ones,now somebody else does! now all i have is a dave philley/chuck stobbs,cause hes from wv,and other ones i bought of nick
randy

What would you guys do here?

Comments