[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Carter08

If someone offered this or a really great condition 52 Mantle that would be a pretty darn tough call in my opinion. I lean to the nicer condition and slightly less iconic card I suppose.

That is a great question. Also a tough one.
we have all seen many cards with alot of missing paper to it and we collect them and cherish them especially if they were rare, special combo of front and advertising back etc.

Both Cards are The Top of the Iconic Scale. The eye appeal on the Mantle would be high based on what you are proposing above.

However, with me being a pre -war collector and the Wagner being Highly Iconic and Rare I would chose the Wagner

I would not Restore it (especially it is not restoring to me it is replacing over 30% approx of the actual missing card)