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Do you think the 1951 Bowman Mantle card.....

In lower grade by PSA is fairly priced..... or not? Thanks. As a follow-up question...... If this is his true rookie card, why does the 52 Topps seem to be more popular
and higher priced?
Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!

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  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tough crowd!image
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As far as price and grade, you might have to get a little more specific.

    As far as the 51 Bowman vs the 52 Topps, you seemed to answer your own question. It is higher priced because it is more popular and, in turn, is more popular because it is higher priced. I think Topps was much more popular in the 50's, therefore kids that grew up then wanted that card more than the Bowman when they got older, therefore driving up the price. I tend to think that the Bowman is an underrated card.

    Shane

  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    frankhardy, thanks for the reply. Am I correct that the 51 Bowman came out basically before the 51 season started, and the 52 Topps was after? I just want to be sure about this.
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not sure when the Bowman came out. My understanding is that the high number series (which the 52 Topps Mantle is in) came out toward the end of the season.

    Shane

  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    Did you sell you 52 Topps Mantle with the custom paint job?
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
    PSA refused to grade it after they said they would. The guy I bought it from stood behind it and traded me a collection of cards for it back.

    Shane

  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    Why would they not grade it?
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
    After Joe Orlando personally told me on the phone that they would grade it after I described it to him in detail, and after they saw scans of it, they refused to grade it because "too much of it was altered". Did I mention that I described it in detail!

    Shane

  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1951 Bowman Mantle is also from the high-number series (as is the Mays); so on that point, the '51 Bowman and '52 Topps Mantles are on equal footing. The '52 Topps however, has been so romanticized, and has such a mystique to it, that it's the only one most people seem to care about.

    I agree with FrankHardy that the '51 Bowman Mantle is very underrated.


    Steve
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Size matters too.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • the difference is entirely because the Topps Mantle is high series, and the first card in the series as well

    Compare Mays cards from the two sets to see
    Tom
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks all. I think I like the Bowman since it seems to be his real rookie card. I collected a bit years ago. Don't recall what the "high series" is.
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!


  • << <i>Size matters too.
    Steve >>


    My wife got all excited when I told her how much one of those tiny little T206 Wagners sells for.
    "Charlie, here comes the deuce. And when you speak of me, speak well."image
  • akuracy503akuracy503 Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭
    According to the PSA population report:

    1951 Bowman Mantle - 1,116 graded
    1952 Topps Mantle - 882 graded

    I agree that the brand and hype around the '52 version has led it to be a legendary piece.

    I even believe the '53 topps (1,755 graded) version get's more attention than the '51 bowman.

    A lot of hobbiest in the know seem to hold the '51 in high regard.

    CU Ancient Members badge member.

    Collection: https://flickr.com/photos/185200668@N06/albums

  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>the difference is entirely because the Topps Mantle is high series, and the first card in the series as well

    Compare Mays cards from the two sets to see


    Thanks all. I think I like the Bowman since it seems to be his real rookie card. I collected a bit years ago. Don't recall what the "high series" is >>





    The '51 Bowman high numbers are #253-#324. So...Mantle is the first card in each set's high number series. TomG's assertion that the difference is entirely because the Topps is high series, is incorrect, since each card is the first card in their respective high series.


    Steve
  • Aren't the Topps high series a lot more scarce than the Bowman's? Or is it simply more demand? Or is the SMR value of $135 for a PSA 5 common ($30 for the Bowman) not valid?
    Tom
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    the 52 topps is also a DP card.

    It is simply more popular.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    back in the 80's when Mantle cards really took off no one really wanted the bowman.
    Everyone wanted the 52 topps and that is one reason why many to this day call it the rookie.
    being a double printed card made it available to promote too. The 51 Bowman even though it predates the 52 topps
    has always lagged behind in price.

    Steve

    Good for you.
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sure is a huge price difference in the two. Looks like the Topps is the favorite due to the set builders that want a set in Topps. More popular flavor brandimage.

    It also looks like the Bowman is a bit underrated and again, to me it is his true rookie card. What's a Topps 1952 in PSA 2 worth? Thanks again for the replies folks.
    Now if you need any info on Bust half coins I might be able to help. Hahaha
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • 51 Bowman Mantle is the nicest, one of the all time in my books.
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Both are great cards. The '52 Mantle Topps has been more promoted over the years, and it's the cornerstone of what people consider to be the "ultimate" Topps baseball set.
  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    I'll take one of each.
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Me too Allen! 50/50 centering on the '52 Topps, please. image
  • jimradjimrad Posts: 2,777 ✭✭✭
    My Mint 1951 Bowman - perfectly centered is one of my favorite cards in my collection.


























    too bad it's a reprint
    Positive transactions with: Bkritz,Bosox1976,Brick,captainthreeputt,cpettimd,craigger,cwazzy,DES1984,Dboneesq,daddymc,Downtown1974,EAsports,EagleEyeKid,fattymacs,gameusedhoop,godblessUSA,goose3,KatsCards,mike22y2k,
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  • jimradjimrad Posts: 2,777 ✭✭✭
    Also the following story from Topps is another reason for the higher price on the 1952:

    Around 1960, during a spring cleaning effort at the Topps Brooklyn headquarters, Sy hired a garbage boat, loaded 300 to 500 cases of 1952 high-series cards, and rode with them as a tugboat pulled them off the New Jersey shore. The cards were then dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. The cards included Mickey Mantle's first Topps card, the most valuable card of the modern era. No one at the time, of course, knew the collector's value the cards would one day attain. Currently, a pack of 1952 Topps is worth at least $5,000. At $5,000 per pack, the value of the cards dumped into the Atlantic on that fateful day is a staggering $1,440,000,000. Although, the value of 1952 Topps cards would not be as high today if all of these cards hadn't been disposed of in the first place.



    Link
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  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So, I see the big card ebay sellers don't seem to like to answer a simple question. I think the coin guys at least answered a question, rude, but they answeredimage.

    Tried 3 different sellers no replies. image Thanks big ebay sellers for saving me a bunch of hard earned $$$$$$$. I rarely did ebay with coins, looks like it won't happen with these guys either.
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    What question did you ask them?

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A simple question about the card, or their shipping etc. No, I didn't try to low-ball price. I never do.
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Maybe they thought you were an annoying tire-kicker.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Hmmm interesting, most guys selling that type of item would reply to emails.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Maybe they thought you were an annoying tire-kicker. >>



    Yeah, that's OK, they ain't getting this "tire kickers" cash either. I try and be nice no reply= no sale. "annoying tire kicker" you been listening to that Legend Lady too much.image
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    I'm sure you were as sweet as pie. However, through an email, might be hard to tell.
  • goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    did you inquire if they'd take billpay Mr. Bigshot collector?image
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm sure you were as sweet as pie. However, through an email, might be hard to tell. >>



    Like I gotta explain anything to you.
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
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