Help with a ticket stub - Mickey Mantle Major League debut [Archive]

View Full Version : Help with a ticket stub - Mickey Mantle Major League debut

Rgklein

12-03-2011, 04:12 PM

I just got this item back from PSA - graded Authentic. It's a ticket stub from Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 1951 - Mickey Mantle's Major League debut, the only Opening Day Mantle and DiMaggio were both in the starting lineup, and also the first game with Bob Sheppard in the PA booth at the Stadium. The Yankees shut out Ted Williams and the Red Sox as they raised a championship flag and began another successful pursuit of a World Series crown.

All in all a significant day in baseball history. PSA had graded a few other games from that season at the Stadium, but this is the first from Opening Day on the registry.

I should add that I'm primarily a vintage card collector -- I don't mind tickets, but I don't really know them or collect them. I'm not desperate for the money but wouldn't mind turning it around for the right price.

So that raises two questions. First, about that right price... Does anyone have a sense of what it might draw on the open market? My quick glance through auctions and Google hasn't turned up any previous examples being sold so I'm not sure what we're talking about here. I brought it to the National this year (unslabbed) and got several on-the-spot cash offers, but I don't know if they were fair or not. Any experts anyone can recommend? Is there a particular auction house, or dealer, that has a good reputation when it comes to tickets or ticket stubs?

Second -- as you can see on the scan, it was encased askew by PSA. It's tilting in its case. It seems to me to detract from its eye appeal. Have others had similar experiences with PSA slabbing off-size items a little sloppily? Is it worth complaining to PSA about, and are they likely to offer a resolution that's worth my while?

Appreciate any thoughts or comments...

Rick

50783

Scott Garner

12-03-2011, 04:35 PM

Hi & welcome to net54,

Your picture is too small to offer much detail on the overall condition of this ticket. A better scan would be helpful. Mantle's debut ticket is worth somewhere around $2,000, give or take a few hundred dollars.

You can get the ticket to reposition in the slab by tapping it edgewise on the lower right hand corner. Then it should have the orientation that you're looking for in the PSA case. It probably just got jostled when it was shipped from PSA.

I hope you find this helpful! ;)

Rgklein

12-03-2011, 04:52 PM

Thanks Scott, and here's a better scan

50785

Scott Garner

12-03-2011, 05:03 PM

Thanks Scott, and here's a better scan

50785

Much better, thanks!

The ticket appears to be in EX condition assuming it doesn't have writing, stains, glue etc. on the back. The upper two corners are a little soft, otherwise this would grade higher. If the back is clean, I will stand pat on my best guess on the value.

A very nice ticket to own. The absolute beginning to The Mick's great HOF career with the Bronx Bombers!

Rgklein

12-03-2011, 05:08 PM

Thanks, Scott - worked like a charm! (A very satisfied new Net54 customer!)

And yes, back is clean and full ticket is free of marks, tape, glue, etc.

Opted not to for a letter grade from PSA because of rounded corners, general wear, plus their warning about low grades of stubs in general.

Scott Garner

12-03-2011, 05:09 PM

Put the ticket in Robert Edwards Auctions next spring. You better hurry up and contact them because they will not accept new items for much longer.

Call REA up next week and talk to Tom D'Alonzo about putting it in their auction. They are one of the best in the business, FYI.

Good luck!

Scott Garner

12-03-2011, 05:09 PM

mcgwirecom

12-05-2011, 09:36 PM

Rick, I sold one on Ebay several years ago. I believe I got just over $4000 for it in ugraded condition, on Ebay! I was shocked. Here is a scan of it.

David Atkatz

12-05-2011, 09:46 PM

Yeah, but yours has a palindromic Sec-Row-Seat number, Randy.

mcgwirecom

12-06-2011, 03:49 PM

Oh, I knew there must have been a reason!