Do people that do not collect baseball cards matter in the equation about pricing of a particular card. They have no impact on supply, or on the demand.

I recognize a lot of cards, but I do not buy them.

To me, regardless if a 20 year old video gaming college kid or a 70 year old retired lady know what a 52 mantle or a cobb looks like, how does that play into the pricing.

There's just something more to the Mantle, its the key card for topps first set, its Postwar America, etc... For better or worse, the Cobb now comes from a time period that the Average American really knows little about... Granted the average American isn't in the market for either of these two cards.

Phillip, it does matter. The demand for '52 Mantles isn't all coming from collectors. In fact, I would venture that a large percentage of 52 mantles are bought by people who aren't serious collectors. Guys buy that card as a status symbol. Actors,hedge-fund managers, bigwigs, they buy the card because it is perceived by non-collectors as the card to own. Nearly every collector on this thread has either said they would prefer the green Cobb or that it is a close call. Real collectors respect and want both pretty equally. So why isn't the demand nearly as high on the green Cobb? I think it is in large part due to non-collectors or fringe collectors.
As I mentioned earlier, I would have liked to have seen the question posed as a '52 mantle vs an equally priced Cracker Jack Cobb. I think the majority of serious collectors jump all over the CJ.

Tried deleting the double post, but can't figure out how too. Sorry

Yes. I am aware of this. I would argue that if you do buy a card, you are a collector, even if you only have that 1 card. You cross from the person that doesn't care to one who has influenced the market and are a part of it in some way.

What I read here, is how iconic it is and how others that will never buy one know what it is not what the investor class is. If you are investing 20k to 500k on a baseball card, are you not going to do any homework to find out what other cards may be more investible before purchasing? Perhaps if you bought one, you may also buy the other. To assume that no one who buys the 52 Topps mantle does not know about a green Cobb is presumptuous. Mantle is a legendary Yankee. The Yankees have a huge following. There are a lot of people who also know who Ty Cobb is. Detroit baseball goes way back also.

"To assume that no one who buys the 52 Topps mantle does not know about a green Cobb is Presumptuous."

Well, it's a good thing I didn't say that. You are speaking in absolutes (and double-negatives). I wasn't not ;).

I've always preferred more unusual cards...while I do covet a 52 topps mantle...i will likely never own one! I'll stick to my ruths...and my cobbs...and my 51 bowman mantle true rookie...not doubleprinted and overvalued!

In 2017, there is also something to be said for the fact that although impossible to know the details without having lived in the era, Cobb does have the reputation of not exactly being a "tolerant" individual. Mantle was flawed, but in a way that some people can better relate to. I guess what I'm saying is that Mantle was a star on a level that others couldn't reach. He did, however, have flaws that were quite in line with many ordinary citizens.

Would love to find a nice CJ Cobb, but talk about a tough card to find. Missed on one about 5 years ago that was perfect. Was a PSA 2 due to paper loss on the back, but the front was a PSA 8/8.5. Was not into collecting back then, but still considered buying it. Wish I would have done so now. Beautiful card.

This is the one. Would love to own it. Beautiful card.

http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/...s73twxe68.jpeg

KendallCat---

The missed opportunity on that CJ Ty Cobb most assuredly fits "the one that got away" category. It's a quintessential "buy the card, not the holder" example. Wow, it presents so beautifully.

Whatever anyone wishes to say about the massive availability on the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, as they have said ever since around 1981, when it was discovered Mick, Jackie Robinson, and Bobby Thomson were double-printed on the Topps sheets, somehow the message still translates in the minds of collectors to:

I don't care if it's not his true rookie; big deal.

I don't care if it's double-printed, and there's twice as many as all the other seventh series cards.

All I know is that it's one of the most beautiful Mickey Mantle cards I ever laid eyes on. I want it. I WANT IT. I GOTTA HAVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

Just my nickel-pack's worth.;)

---Brian Powell

Re: Mantle's 51 Bowman vs. 52 Topps...I just added up their PSA & SGC pops...If you consider just how in demand the 52 example is, I think that's not so many. And regarding the debate of whether his 52 is a rookie card or not, it's rather irrelevant, IMO, it's his debut card in Topps landmark set. It's iconic and transcends the hobby. FWIW, I'll always be a HUGE T206 fan, and a Cobb fan though.


2303 Total 51 Bowman Mantes (1783 PSA & 520 SGC)

1857 Total 52 Topps Mantles (1425 PSA & 432 SGC)

The PWCC green Cobb 4 is at 7100 and it has a major crease in the bottom left corner. This card price is EXPLODING. 3 years ago you could get a PSA 4 for 3,000. Now you are paying 7 to 8 thousand. That is a great return. Observe the 707 Green Cobb is down.

Ahead of that card closing, I picked up another PSA 4 to hold onto.

I would ask what a 52 mantle went for 3 years ago? Has it had the same returns? I really am pretty ignorant here. I do not collect them. This entire thread came from a debate with another collector and we both thought it was worthy of posting to see what others though.

I can only post on n54 in double-pics. Not sure why. This is as far back as vcp goes on psa 3 mantles. So now that the mid-2006 insanity has passed, the card has doubled in three years.

Mantle and Cobb
 

Showcasing here, but here are mine together..,

+1, Sniffy.

Best move is go for what you love to own and hold every day.

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...2-topps-mantle

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...cker-jack-cobb

Awesome cards!!

First off, I hate using the word "investment" and associating it with my hobby.

As an investment I'd take the Mantle because for some reason or other there's a buzz about the 52T Mantle. Personally, I'd be much more happy with the Cobb card.

Anybody have a total pop on both of the cards in the SGC and PSA registry's? Just curious.

Fred- see post #92 for Mantle's total pop. I know Green Cobb is much less, but then the debate becomes supply & demand.

I don't make enough to buy the cards I want unless I eventually plan on parting with some of them. Do I like that, no. It unfortunately is called "reality". At one point I had more money into my baseball cards than the entire cost I paid for my house. The balances are now tipped the other way, but I sit and look at them and realize cold hard cash is a retirement plan and my baseball cards are a partial gamble, no matter how much I like them.

I try to strike a balance between them and move my interests to make sure I don't lose my ass while having fun.