I sort of see the Topps '52 Mantle as the Stairway To Heaven of baseball cards...I think I'd rather listen to Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety instead of Stairway over and over and over...

Just buy his '51 Bowman RC at a fraction of the price and keep the '34 set. That's what I decided to do with Mantle, but I never saw the '52 as a the white whale that many do either.

I hear everyone and I just think being able to own a 52 mantle be something amazing. I mean growing up seeing that card that was the card to own. I don't know if down the line I'll have a chance to own one again. It's tough choice but I think everyone has made valid points. Yes I can rebuild the Goudey set or start a new set after. I can complete it and keep it then save up the money to buy a mantle. There is a lot I can do and I think I am leaning towards completing the set and down the line sell it to purchase the 52 mantle and hopefully a few other really nice pieces that one day I could possibly give to my own kids.

Whatever your decision is, keep this one question (along with everything else) in mind. Which do you prefer, quantity or quality?

I realize that a case could be made, either way, as to which holding could be considered, "quality."

Perhaps when you determine if the quality of a '52 Topps Mantle you can afford by parting with the partial set you've accumulated outweighs the "quality" of the set you are currently assembling, the answer to your original question will become clearer.

Maybe the core question is this: are you a, "set builder" or do you approach the hobby differently?

Best regards,

Eric

If you'd like to make the Mantle quest a fun and challenging one, seek out one that has really great eye appeal to you, whether you dig a perfect blue background, a specific variation, centering, sharp corners, whatever you dig; it's true the card can be had and it is one of those cards where (for the many who love it) just getting one in the collection is definitely a joy, but especially sweet ones don't surface all that often.

Not knowing the contents of the set other than you don't have the Gehrigs, I would have to agree that you should go after the Mantle. Greenberg would be the other card that I would be curious about. What grade Mantle are you looking at?

I don't understand card guys.......not at all. :confused: :p

I would keep some of best goudey cards such as HOFers and sell everything else and have a good head start fund for 52 Mantle.

Quality > Quantity and yet Im still doing 1993 Finest Refractor because I felt I want to do one of amazing sets out there. I just fished my 1951 Topps Red/Blue cards. Not too pricey but cute set.

Im teaching my 9 years old son to get best rookies over opening packs but I let him rip couple of topps boxes so he can keep track of current players. He got few good 1980's rookies in PSA 9 such as Sandberg, Ripken, Gwynn, and McGwire.

Best,
Danny

You guys kill me. Now I'm thinking about selling my modern baseball card collection again, lol.

Neither do I... and I am one. :p

You still have modern, Bill? :):eek:

lol :)

I still got some modern but I am keeping my set going and down the line will see what to do when the time comes.