It's a bit odd to see it misspelled 3x in one post, no? Point taken on the armour spelling, thanks.

Mantle
 

The corrected version is much rarer and I believe only available in 10 colors of which I have 8

Nice find Larry.

Mantle
 

Thx

My dear son kindly edited a scan of the aforementioned TRUE MINT, page 63, to the requisite KB limit a jpeg is allowed to have on this forum. Here we have the celebratory photo being snapped upon the occasion of Mr. Mint's purchase of Barbara Grossman's collection. As you read The Mint Man's remembrances, and study the accompanying photo, note carefully what he's holding in his right hand, the card I have given the name, THE MALTESE FALCON OF BASEBALL CARDS, the most profound Mickey Mantle gem of all. Early in the millennium, this particular 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle was graded by PSA. When the registered mail box was delivered to its owner, and he unwrapped the layers of bubble wrap to see PSA's verdict, he began weeping uncontrollably with utter joy, for the label said, "PSA 9 MINT"! A verified flawless, priceless, and king-sized blue diamond or ruby of a Mickey Mantle baseball card, this.

I trust you will find this more than a bit intriguing...;) --- Brian Powell

18 year old Mick with the 1950 Joplin Miners.

That’s awesome!


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Wow, is that ever nice! I take it it is yours, WWG?

I rarely buy from PWCC, but had to when 1960 Topps Tattoos came up:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SM4AA...KZb/s-l800.jpg
A very high percent of these have paper loss like shown due to being pulled open at the glue point. Writing on the back says "New York Yankees" in script, so not too bad for a MK. I actually had a much higher snipe set, so it went cheaper than I expected ($355). Image is really strong.

Got this to send in for grading; not centered, but clean. 1961 Topps Stamps single at $59:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/JtoAA...IE5/s-l800.jpg

This Holiday Inn Matchbook ($30) took 2 weeks to arrive from Canada:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jhAAA...DSV/s-l800.jpg

Another one for Bobby's bulk submission.

John, I distinctly recall in the late 80s when Mr. Mint Alan Rosen announced to the hobby in the pages of SPORTS COLLECTORS DIGEST that he had just purchased several boxes of the rare 1960 Topps Tattoos. In actuality, one could not help tearing the tattoo paper at the top when he opened the pack, because of the way it was put together by Topps. Really, SINCE IT WAS PACKAGED IN SUCH A SURE-TO-DAMAGE FASHION, THE TATTOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRADED MUCH HIGHER BY PSA, AND IN POINT OF A STRONG POSSIBILITY, APPEARS SO FRESH AND OTHERWISE UNMARRED TO PROBABLY TRACE TO MR. MINT'S FIND. Just my 2 cents.

For what it's worth, I think it's a cool mark of respect to your Mantle collection!;)

Well done, mate. --- Brian Powell

Yeah, for a 1, it's really nice. I had no problem paying up for it since it's such a rare item. The fact that it was graded many years ago (prior to the FAIR grade) may increase the chance it was from a Mr. Mint find. There is an eBay seller who still has a lot of the unopened packs, and continually lists them at high prices.
It's funny, I could jump ahead of some people on the registry for this card if I sent it in for review and it got bumped to FAIR 1.5 (MK). As of right now, 2(Q), 1(Q), and Auth all count for 1 point in the registry, but 1.5(Q) actually counts for 1.5. Never figured out why they added that loophole when they changed the point values 2 years ago.

The official Mickey Mantle Pickup Thread. All Mick, all the time!
 

eBay mailday today on this card that I’ve wanted for quite some time. Very cool to finally have it in-hand. If this thing isn’t dead nuts centered, it’s damn close. Always thought this concept for AS cards was neat, the bursting out of the headlines - and think on the whole this is an underrated Mantle card.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e411e9fc14.jpg


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Great card John. Looks under graded. I agree it is an underrated Mick card. Tough for us set builders as a high # '61.

Mantle
 

1 of only 3 known in this color found in a large group of rare colors

This is just a detail, but another thing I love about this card is it list him as "CF" instead of just an oufielder. Only the AS cards did that because they were by position for each league.

I'm a new collector, really just started this past summer, but here are my 3 mantles so far. I hope to build a nice set of all of his vintage cards some day.

Great looking example of that card. Agree very underrated and hard to find centered like that. The design really stands out; when my son was old enough to start checking out cards that was his favorite Mantle along with 55B, because of the creative designs.

Phenomenal example of the 52T right there; huge eye appeal for the technical grade. Congrats.

^^Totally agree. Nice card. I think i'll spend some time alone this weekend with my Micks. Been contemplating on adding a few more.
What ya think? A 53 or 56. Have a hard time with the 56 tho, if the white back matters more than the grey back.

Congrats on the rare color. There are sooooo many different color schemes for the Armour coins that I have avoided going after them. I have at least one example of each and multiples of a couple of them, but I think trying to get each color variation is a daunting task. Congrats on this one and on every one that you have.

Don't worry about it and just get both. :D

Recent Heritage pickup. Good God does that sales tax sting, though, LOL! Sometimes their scans are brighter than the card in hand, yet this card shocked me when it arrived; such white borders and the centering and corners are fantastic. Best 59 I've held or owned and definitey should've gotten the .5 love when it was graded.


https://i1156.photobucket.com/albums...y.jpg~original

Can’t go wrong with the mick

[IMG]<a href="http://s257.photobucket.com/user/cglasby/media/6453E686-8A58-4E93-8633-23EE43987A3B_zps5wbbhzcw.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/cglasby/6453E686-8A58-4E93-8633-23EE43987A3B_zps5wbbhzcw.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo 6453E686-8A58-4E93-8633-23EE43987A3B_zps5wbbhzcw.jpeg"/></a>[/IMG]

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...s6ydvme0f.jpeg

The Mick
 

Hi Gang:

Not a Mick collector per se.

Saw this tray at the Philly show. Was told it is exceedingly rare. Especially autographed. Is that so?

Cool item none the less.

Fred

Union Novelty Postcard:

Attachment 346174Attachment 346175

3 raw Micks I picked up today. 69 is more oc than I would like but I actually didn't have one, the color was appealing and the price was right. The 58 AS has a crease and there is some wax staining on the back but the price was too good to pass up and most of all...it's well centered! The 67, well, it speaks for itself. Beautiful card, nm corners and decent centering. I just don't know how PSA is going to feel about the tiny, pink print dot at the top. Might have paid a tiny bit too much for his one but no regrets!

Nice cards; I only won 1 last night in the Small Traditions, the PSA 5(MK) Holiday Inn postcard. I was bidding on a bunch of the picture pack cards, but you guys wanted them more.
Also, I just opened up a glass display case in the Smith's Antique Mall in Destin, FL. Has 20 of my PSA graded Mantle duplicates along with a whole host of other cards and autographs.
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...dc&oe=5D15BD08

Nice display...but you aren't worried about that blinding fluorescent light directly above your cards?

Tim, I have a '67 with the exact same red print dot. Mine came back a 6. Doesn't look as nice as yours, however. Nice Mick pick ups!

P.S. I never thought the dot might be recurring until you posted yours. Might we have found a new print variation?

Yes, and I had already asked them to remove the bulb. If they can't, they're going to call me and I'll rearrange the booth a little to put some different stuff up top and move the cards/autos further down.

Yes!! A very rare and valuable variation!! Seriously though, I have in my head that I have seen one with this dot before but I sure can't seem to recall where and I can't find one with it in past auctions. I paid less than 6 money for it so I'm hoping it comes back at least a 6. To me it is a 7 not figuring in the dot. I have a couple more Micks to pick up next weekend then I will probably send that one in next week. So I guess we'll find out in a couple of months!

for once, I agree with your assessment on "centering":D

That is a nice start. The 52 and 53 would complete my run nicely.:D

I think that print mark is somewhat common where it is on the 67 Mantle?

then it's probably a 5:D

Ha! & thank you!

Upper right border. See post #1146.

I have one without the pink dot... maybe that is the rare and valuable variation!;)

delete

Mantle Mantle with Initials on back
 

Greetings. This is my first post. Great discussions on here. I have a question about what to do, or how to represent, a Mantle card with someone's initials on the back. It is a 68 Mantle that the original owner I'm assuming wrote their 2-letter initials on the back of the card. It is in red felt tip, so pretty obvious. First, do initials on the BACK of the card knock it down a few grading scales? The card overall is in good shape, no creases, sharp corners, good image. Second, is it ethical to see if someone can professionally remove the initials. My goal is to understand it's worth, and then possibly sell it, depending on the outcome. Pic here: Any feedback is really appreciated. I do't like it, but will the Mantle collectors be uptight. I have seen some really poor cards sell for a lot on ebay!

It depends on the condition of the front, but you aren’t getting more than “poor” pricing on a marked up, not particularly popular card. The only poor cards that bring a fortune are the rare test issues or the highly desirable rookies.

Ok, so I'm possibly an idiot. I mentioned that I remember seeing one with the pink print dot but couldn't remember where. Well, it was in my own collection! Was going thru my Micks and my PSA 6 has the same dot.

And here are my Mick pick ups for this week. The 69 is a little uglier than the one I bought last week and the 58 is a beater. Both were prices right. $100 for the pair.

Depends on the buyer and/or the grading company. PSA would give it a MK qualifier and it would be considered 2 grades lower for registry set purposes. Maybe 2-3 grades lower on the price value. It is definitely unethical to try and remove it.

Thanks
 

That's pretty close to what I was thinking, especially on getting it "restored". I have been off and on collecting for a long time, but the Mantle market is nuts in general- in a good way. I did see an old Mantle that looked like it had been through the washing machine and someone paid over $100. And yes I know the 68 Mantle isn't rare or special enough to be worth
a fortune. My first Mantle is a 69 Topps that my dad helped engineer the trade for- It cost me a few 1973 stars- I made out pretty well on that- and still have it. Thanks again

Congrats on the pickups, Tim

With a 15% discount from the seller and the 15% Ebay app discount, I was able to purchase these three for a very good price:

Attachment 347300

Attachment 347301

Attachment 347302

Raymond, awesome Mantles you got there man. Nice.

Here is a new addition to my collection. Don’t normally do SGC but this one was a very nice example. Have had all PSA 8’s and having fun finding centered high end examples in the mid grade range.

Fantastic cards Keith. Well done.

Bought a Perez Steel autographed Mickey Mantle today from Phil Regli, on ebay, not authenticated. Ebay user wwwprpsportscom. My first Mantle autograph. I know that forgeries are rampant. I also know a lot of collectors on here don't care too much for authentication, so is Phil legit enough to take his word for it? I googled him, and since he wrote for Beckett I figured it was a credible seller. It came with a small certificate of authenticity, but I had never heard of the company it came from. Did PS autograph cards ever come pre-authenticated? Signed by Nicholas J Thuyer. Thanks for your opinions.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...295d26cb47.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7c602a44b5.jpg

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That SGC 7.5 is super nice. Great pickup!


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I collect 1950’s Mickey Mantle cards and the only one I was missing was the 1953 Bowman. Today, I finally got it (after selling a few cards). I couldn’t believe this PSA 1 was centered very well.

1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle (PSA 1)

https://i.ibb.co/vJ0CYnp/02790-CAA-E...E14-FB4094.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/pdtky22/D036235-D-F...40029-B804.jpg

My graded 1951-1953 Mantle cards together:

https://i.ibb.co/t4z07kQ/FA534342-51...E909-ACDCC.jpg

Latest pick uphttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...91a8694499.jpg

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Nice one Ray- was it slabbed when you bought it?

Hi Fred,

Sorry about the late reply, but I somehow didn't see this until now.

Here's what Kelly Eisenhauer had to say about the tray in his SCD article from around 10 years ago:

Carrying Tray – The plastic carrying trays that were used in the daily operations remain one of the most sought-after items from the restaurant. It features a nice black-and-white drawing of Mickey wearing his Yankees pinstriped uniform. It also has a facsimile autograph with the M.M. Country Cookin’ logo (Photo No. 118). These trays are so rare that, when available, they can command prices of more than $3,000.

I have been collecting Mantle items for probably a little over 5 years now and have seen two on ebay in that time. One in July 2017 and one in Dec. 2018. Neither autographed. Those are the only two I've seen until the one you pictured. The prices for the two trays were just under Kelly's estimated value for the first and around half his estimated value for the second. Do you remember what they were asking for the autographed tray?

Also, do you remember what they were asking for the Yoo-Hoo advertising item you have pictured?

No sir- won it on the 'bay from Greg Morris...I wanted a nice raw one to go with the three I bought last week ('65,'66' & '67 - already had a '68)...and I wanted to continue to give Greg my business whenever possible after the 'solid' he did for a fellow Net54 member recently...you can find it a few pages back on the Pre-WWII section.

I'm guessing this one would grade about a '6 o/c ' and I hope the others will as well once I decide to get them graded. I actually passed on one that had better centering...hoping to get this one for less than the BIN of the other one...wouldn't you know it...I paid $9 more. That will remind me not to hesitate too long on a good Mantle.


Now that I double-check the 'sold' search, I see that PWCC, who I've begun to avoid because of suspicious bids, sold a '6' with no qualifiers for just a few dollars more than I paid for a clearly o/c raw.

Man, that's egg on my face, for sure...what a moron! I promise to do better.

Thanks,
Raymond

Another day, another Mantle ;)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...016d4e48b8.jpg

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Nicely centered 53 bowman mantle psa 1.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=267053

Got this 1965 one on the Net54 auctions for $100. Looks VG+ to me. Off to PSA with it.

https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1963...&size=original
1963 Post - [Base] #15 - Mickey Mantle [Poor]
Courtesy of COMC.com

Here's my latest pickup (only $33), and a good question. Why is the 1963 Post Mantle so much rarer than the 1963 Jell-O? This is the first Post that COMC has had in 10 years, compared to about 20 of the Jell-O in the same timeframe.
https://www.comc.com/Cards,sr,=1963+...mantle,ot,i100

Only 6 Posts on the PSA Auction Prices Realized, and even Auth ones have sold for $267 in the past.

https://www.psacard.com/auctionprice.../values/654430

Usually the Post cards are much more prevalent, for other players. Did Post just screw up and put The Mick on a low selling cereal or was he short-printed that year? Was there a hoarder at one time, who cleared the market in the 80s/90s?

Deleted

Those are some super high eye appeal cards. Really well registered with clean surfaces. Can't even figure out what made the top two 5s instead of 7s.

I agree Swarmee...i agree...

Good afternoon, John. Congratulations upon your acquiring one of the tougher Mickey Mantles. I devoted chapter 15 of my book on immediate post-war regional / food issues to this very question. Both Mantle and Roger Maris are exceedingly difficult in the 1963 Post Cereal set, whereas their respective JELL-O cards are easy-weezy.

Would you care to purchase a copy of NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN to see what I had to say about it? Of course, it would cost you $30 postpaid, a mere three bucks less than you paid for your Mick. That would kinda sting. Being an honest man, I have to say your guess is correct---Mr. Mantle was printed on a very, very, very non-kid cereal.

Regardless of what you decide, nice pick-up.

For what it's worth, bro, when I attended the major shows I was privileged to attend from 1972 - 1977, I collected regional - food, Topps test issues, and other superstars. Mickey's beautiful 1962 Post Cereal was "all over the place"; however, his elegant 1963 Post I say a whopping one time! I failed to bag it then, as my funds were running low by the time I spotted it. I had to wait 25 long years 'til '98-'99 to win one in a Mastro Fine Sports Auction. It was a regal graded beauty, and worth the wait!

Hope I didn't bore you. Have a swell day and thanks for sharing with us.:)

---Brian Powell

P.S. --- John, I neglected to mention the title of that fifteenth chapter: Now You See Them, Now You Don't ---- 1963 Post Cereal Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle

I figured you might know the answer. I do need to purchase your book. I'll send a PM.

Love seeing all of the Mantle pickups on this thread!
Picked up the blue back 52-55 Dormand Mick Bat on shoulder postcard.
I knew SCD listed the blue & green variation of the 53 Dormand Mantle Bat on shoulder, but didn't realize the other differences until i had it in hand.

Blue compared to green back:
Front
-Zoomed out image
-Auto is larger
-The color is unique on the blue compared to the green and giants - hard to tell unless under magnification

Back
-Blue color and smaller & different type font than others
-Long dash after Mick's weight on blue not on others
-Number at center bottom is different (anyone know what those numbers meant?)

Picked up one of the HI coasters i didn't have to add to the others.

A nice 55 Exhibits PC back "Mutoscope" recently arrived from PSA :) And just got back a bunch of the new Jumbo slabs.

So I started working on a Mickey Mantle "display piece" for my living room. (Hence the inclusion in this thread) :rolleyes:


Here are a few recent snags.......


https://i.imgur.com/qBnKekJm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UCiM5qkm.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/NcDwRd8m.png https://i.imgur.com/B1O6YGsm.jpg




Nothing Earth-shattering, but I am mostly looking for decent eye-appeal cards in mid to low grades raw. I am saving my higher grade stuff for my PC to be tucked away. There won't be any "PSA 9s" in my display, but thats by design.

More to come shortly. :)

Ben, great stuff. Congrats! Is there a variation with the Giant and mid size or just the regular size?

Been working for a while to try to find some centered Mantles from the 50’s and here is my collection to date. Hardest to find have been he 56 and 57, and the 58 is one of the best I have seen in any grade.

57 Mantle

Fantastic cards Keith!

Ben, as always, very interesting. Forced me to take a closer look at my small Dormund post cards. I have three of them.

The top one I got first. Then later on I picked up the second one in a group lot and noticed that the color was different from the first. I didn't bother looking any closer. The card on the bottom is the one I got last. I picked it up because of the writing on the back and post mark. I see now that I have three variations of the post card. In the top card, on the back bottom left is the same marking as on the larger post cards. It has a K in a diamond to the left of the publishing information. Same number in the center back as in the larger cards. The middle one does not have the K but has the same number in the back center. The bottom one does not have the K, has a different number, and as you noticed, is blue and not green. Based on the post mark date, it is probably earlier than the others.

The only difference in my largest ones is the photo is a bit (1/4") higher on one.

Ha...I didn't see the K difference but luckily I have that one on my graded example! Nice catch.
The color photo of my "K" PC looks washed out compared to the other two.

BTW I love the written note on the PC! Awesome.

Nice, my green one with a “K” looks washed out as well, so probably how it was produced. Fortunately, I’m a hoarder and had two of the three. Now to find the green without the K...