Cobb, Ruth or Mantle...Can't decide.

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 4:31AM

I've been fortunate and frugal enough to set myself up to purchase one of the big three cards i've always wanted.

A 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb, 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 (Yellow background), or a low grade 1952 Topps Mantle.

Here is my take on what would satisfy my purchase:
1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb would need to be "Authentic" or Low grade with eye appeal.
1933 Goudey #53 Ruth will need to be PSA 4 or 5 grade
1952 Topps Mantle eye appeal, low grade or "Authentic", $5K max.

Looking at historical data, the '52 Mantle will be a long wait for an honest open auction with lots of competition, prices all over the place from bargain steal to "eww that person overpaid" status.

The 1933 Goudey Ruth is not so tough with a consistent string of 4's and 5's hitting the market, prices are very consistent over the past 3 years, card doesn't really lose or gain value, just real stagnant. Still a classic!

The 1915 Cracker Jack Cobb I have not honestly followed for a long time since it's such a high dollar card, but I know there are a few that can be had for reasonable $ with nice eye appeal, even if it's graded "Authentic", is an altered card of this stature still worth it over the 2 other options?

Would love your expertise and feedback.

K · June 22, 2009 4:44AM

I'd go with the Cobb just because Yankees suck...

Honestly though a Cracker Jack Cobb in any condition imo is a nicer card then any T206 Cobb with the exception of maybe one of the elusive Ty Cobb backs.

I'd rather have a 1916 M1101-5 #151 SPORTING NEWS Ruth, where he's rocking a Boston uni, then any of the 33 Goudeys. And the Mantle, although it is one of the symbols of the hobby, is going to be over priced no matter what.

So go with the Cobb

Just my $.02

Statman · June 22, 2009 4:47AM

I think I'd either go for the Ruth or a low grade (better than authentic) Mantle. I would rather have the grade than just have an authentic (unless it was really ugly). I think the Ruth is the easiest to get, only because there are a few different Ruths in the set, so if someone "just wants a Ruth" (doesn't care which one), there are more choices for them, thus lowering the number of people fighting it out for the certain number you want.

If you don't have a timetable to do this, I'd hold out and see if find a reasonable Mantle. If not, then go for the Ruth.

Nathaniel1960 · June 22, 2009 4:58AM

Ruth. The steroid era will only bolster his fame and cards. I see a slight downtown in the Mick over the decade, and an uptick in Mays, Clemente and Aaron. A ruth in a 4 or 5 can look incredible too.

Statman · June 22, 2009 5:09AM

Nathaniel1960's reasoning on the Ruth is why I suggested that one also - you can really get a nice eye appeal in a 4 or 5 and Ruth is kind of a mythical figure.

goose3 · June 22, 2009 5:11AM

The Ruth but I'm partial to Goudeys. Here's my lowly 2.

Overrated · June 22, 2009 5:28AM

52 Mantle.

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 5:32AM

Anyone have historical data on 1952 mantle prices in low grade? I'm talking more than 3 years ago....

It'd be interesting to know if the prices have always risen or if they have peaked in the past.

I love the card but I don't love the prices when I hear about what they used to sell for....

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 5:38AM

Let's take this approach...what is the PSA population for a:

(1) graded '52 Topps Mantle vs

(4-5) '33 Goudey Ruth, PSA 4 pop is 82 with 148 higher vs

(authentic - 1) 1915 Cracker Jack Cobb.

Unfortunately I don't have access to the information.

I think i'd take a PSA 4 over a 5 for the Ruth since there is such a huge divide in price between the two grades.
Might put things into perspective for supply.

packman · June 22, 2009 5:42AM

You cannot go wrong with any of them. I am more partial to the Cobb. Good luck with your search.

Since Goose posted his Ruth, here is my lowly Cobb:

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 6:09AM

The chase might be more satisfying than the score in this case...too difficult to decide.

Tabe · June 22, 2009 6:21AM

What about a T-3 Cobb instead? Is it possible to get one in this price range? If so, that card smokes all three of the others, IMHO.

Tabe

storm888 · June 22, 2009 6:27AM

1952 Mantle.

Gotta be patient for the right card at the right price.

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 6:36AM

<< What about a T-3 Cobb instead? Is it possible to get one in this price range? If so, that card smokes all three of the others, IMHO.

Tabe >>

The Turkey Cobb is crazy talk $$....not even in my memory bank so I don't think about it...

smtjoy · June 22, 2009 7:05AM

If I had that choice I would wait on the CJ Cobb.

All 3 are great cards and if you can get any at the right price in a open auction format you should do well.

MLRMLEO · June 22, 2009 7:06AM

Which ever card comes to you for right price at the right condition, thats when Id pull the trigger. Its a good chase when you have sweet card your going after. Good Luck!

Tabe · June 22, 2009 7:15AM

<< 

<< What about a T-3 Cobb instead? Is it possible to get one in this price range? If so, that card smokes all three of the others, IMHO.

Tabe >>

The Turkey Cobb is crazy talk $$....not even in my memory bank so I don't think about it... >>

Well, you mentioned $5K for the Mantle, so figured that was your price range? Anyway, here's a Cobb - with, admittedly, not great eye appeal IMHO - that sold for $1400:

https://www.hugginsandscott.com/cgi-bin/showitem.pl?itemid=12324&catid=175&lotno=840

Tabe

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 7:30AM

Thanks for the heads up...like I mentioned earlier the T3 Cobb never crossed my mind because I thought it was a $10k card for anything worth staring at.

I must say that the Cracker Jack Cobb is rarer than a '52 mantle in the marketplace....so that may be the way to go.

Still looking for that Pop report on a PSA 1 or 2 Mantle...

halosfan · June 22, 2009 8:17AM

I'd go with the Cobb

Tabe · June 22, 2009 8:26AM

<< I'd go with the Cobb >>

Me too. Would be a tough call for me over the Mantle but I'd pick the Cobb.

Tabe

GKreindler · June 22, 2009 8:29AM

Don't know if my opinion is worth much, since I'm more of an art guy than a card guy, but I suppose it all depends on what you want out of the card. Is it more of a showpiece for eye appeal or an investment?

If it's the former, I personally LOVE the stark red background of the Cobb. For some reason, being so graphic and culling from a set that's almost 100 years old really appeals to me. Also, for whatever reason, I just think of a young kid wearing a newsboy hat in the bleachers of a fairly new Navin Park in Detroit during the 1915 season, and finding a card of the idol Cobb in his candy box. What a thought...

Though honestly, could you go wrong with either three? It's so much a matter of personal taste. Both the Mantle and Ruth images are incredibly iconic in their own ways.

I think in terms of investment, I can't see any of them going down too much. At least with the Mantle, I feel like the demand will most likely exceed supply most of the time, and the chances of the Cobb and Ruth having huge jumps in price decreases are pretty slim. Then again, I don't pay all that much attention to the PSA population reports.

Just my two cents...

Graig

fattymacs · June 22, 2009 9:39AM

The Cracker Jack Cobb would be my choice.

BIGBEN7 · June 22, 2009 12:50PM

If you are looking for resale I would go with the Cobb if not the Goudey Ruth is a classic.

akuracy503 · June 22, 2009 1:07PM

I was surprised to find the population on a 1952 Topps Mantle is (138) PSA 1 examples and (762) higher grades.
Not the rarest but the demand is off the charts, will this card always hold top spot?

Did anyone catch the latest low grade 1952 mantle, half burnt like it was used to put out cigs? still sold for over a thousand...

TomGshotput · June 22, 2009 2:44PM

Have to go with the Cobb

So much of the demand and value of the 52 Mantle is tied up in the fact that people want it simply because it is expensive

33 Goudey's are not that rare. Can find PSA 4 for $20

diamondman · June 22, 2009 5:19PM

I personally would go after the Ruth, always an icon. Hold out for a really nice PSA 5
after that Cobb, and then the Mantle although 52 is the most desired of the Mantle cards, I still like the 51 Bowman true RC.

Yankees001 · June 22, 2009 9:47PM

I'd go with the Cobb or Ruth.

1) Cobb if you can get one graded 2-4, don't waite the cash on just an "AUTHENTIC" one.

2) Ruth is my second choice.

3) 1952 Topps Mantle is overpriced in my opion. I'd waite a few years, I believe the prices will come down.

Dave

ToneD · June 23, 2009 2:51AM

I think you have to not concern yourself with population reports with these 3 cards. Does not matter what the pop reports say they will always be high demand cards. My preference would be Cobb, Ruth, Mantle. I might lean towards the Ruth because you could probably land a much better conditioned Ruth than the Cobb. But either one is a can't miss. Eye appeal is most important factor to consider. The Mantle would be last. Sure it's an iconic card but give me a Cobb or Ruth over Mantle anyday.

MajorDanby · June 23, 2009 5:03AM

i think the cobb, based on player and set appeal as well as greater scarcity, will hold if not increase its value over time. not necessarily saying the ruth and mantle wont, but the cobb will have a higher probability of maintaining and increasing value over time based on past trends and current (as well as normal) market conditions.

with that said, the mantle continues to be an iconic card in the industry. with mantle's status and lore, as well as the high appeal of the 52 topps set, i think the mantle card will do well price wise in the future.

i think the ruth goudey cards will continue to maintain ground, but i feel it wont garner as much demand as the other two cards.

i think from a financial point of view, i would go with cobb first and then mantle next.

from an aesthetic point of view, cobb beats the other two by a wide margin. mantle goes second and lastly ruth.

in the end, you'll need to factor your own collecting goals as well as your subjective opinion on the three cards to come to a final decision. in the end, all three cards are worth having and you cant go totally wrong with any of them.

akuracy503 · June 23, 2009 2:42PM

I'll be keeping my eye out on the 3. Make some bids and hope to hit a deal...see which card wins...

Thanks for all the great feedback.

lsutigers1973 · June 23, 2009 2:48PM

I'd go with a complete 1983 Donruss set in PSA 10.

WinPitcher · June 24, 2009 12:01AM

Ruth

Steve

IchiroDeported · June 24, 2009 3:43AM

this guy:

gemint · June 24, 2009 4:06AM

If you're buying the card more as a collectible than an investment, then you have to decide which card/player you like the best. On that note, most would probably put Cobb last because he was an a$$ but you may like the asthetics of the card which could make you overlook who he was. Mantle and Ruth both had their flaws but were still beloved by most and they were genuinely good people. Personally I like the Mantle but that's because I'm more of a postwar collector.

So my 2 cents is that you should try to focus more on the 'likeability of the card' and less on the pop reports and investment trajectory. If can buy the card you like the most within your price range, then you can't go wrong. Nobody can predict where the market is heading, so that's why it's so important that you enjoy your purchase.

Yankees001 · June 24, 2009 11:20PM

<< I'd go with a complete 1983 Donruss set in PSA 10. >>

Only Bill would even consider something like that!

PoppaJ · June 25, 2009 12:18AM

<< If you're buying the card more as a collectible than an investment, then you have to decide which card/player you like the best. On that note, most would probably put Cobb last because he was an a$$ but you may like the asthetics of the card which could make you overlook who he was. Mantle and Ruth both had their flaws but were still beloved by most and they were genuinely good people. Personally I like the Mantle but that's because I'm more of a postwar collector.

So my 2 cents is that you should try to focus more on the 'likeability of the card' and less on the pop reports and investment trajectory. If can buy the card you like the most within your price range, then you can't go wrong. Nobody can predict where the market is heading, so that's why it's so important that you enjoy your purchase. >>

\\\\\\\\\\\

PoppaJ

originalisbest · June 25, 2009 6:43AM

Ruth I feel would be "safest" in terms of future appreciation -- though truth be told I'd love to have any of the three.

Still hope to find a decent appearance, but still low grade, '52 Mantle one day. In an absolute sense it is not a rare card, but finding one with a decent appearance for a decent price can be.

Cobb, Ruth or Mantle...Can't decide.

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