Ted Z.----What a charming post, with all 5 of the cards you pulled from your nickel pack. That is SOMETHING! I well recall the "52 Topps Mantle I owned was the Type 1. I cherished the deeper, richer colors, chroma, or whatever it was. I even loved the background color better on the Type 1. My best to you, sir; thanks for posting your as always relevant contributions to Net54. -- Brian Powell

Hey James, that post you made at 1:57 was very well expressed. Thanks, Seven! --- Brian Powell

Thanks Brian.

Sometimes I think it's hard to separate players from their cardboard, especially ones that are no longer with us. Cardboard is really how they live on, especially for some of the guys that played in the pre-war era.

In some ways I'm glad for these debates and discussions. Shows how much passion and feelings we have about our wonderful hobby!

Hi Brian

I really appreciate your very complimentary words.

It is now 3 months shy of 70 years, since I carefully opened 5-cent wax-packs containing 1952 TOPPS Hi #s. Yet, I still remember that day as clearly as if it occurred yesterday.
I gave the Candy store man a Quarter, he gave me 5 packs. Other than Gil McDougald, I don't recall the cards in the first 4 packs . It was the 5th pack that included the Mantle.


http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...wrapper100.jpg


TED Z

T206 Reference
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Ted,

I've told the story here before of my grandmother finding two of my (born in 1943) father's old baseball cards many years ago. One was a '53 Topps Whitey Ford, and the other was a Mickey Mantle that we never saw, because she gave it to my cousin instead.

Have always assumed (for many reasons) that the Mantle was very likely a '53 T as well, but you never know for sure.

What do you think the chances would've been that a 9 year old living in the boondocks in southern WV would've had access to '52 T high number packs that fall?

Same for me. Didn't think I was ever going to be able to snag one to add to my collection, then finally did last year.

Hi John

An old friend of mine grew up in the Great Smoky Mountain region of North Carolina, and he collected 1952 and 1953 TOPPS cards when he was a youngster.

Furthermore, he remembers opening up 1953 TOPPS wax-packs which also had 1952 TOPPS Hi #'s mixed in with 1953 TOPPS cards.

Apparently, the TOPPS Co. had lots of left over 1952 Hi #'s which they stuffed into the 1953 wax-packs in the Spring of 1953.

So, it is possible that the Mantle card you alluded to could have been a 1952 card.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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Ted,

I always enjoy your wealth of knowledge and great stories. I think you need to write a book or do some kind of video documentary. Thanks for sharing! Such a cool story.

Chad

:eek: My world of what ifs will never be the same now.

Appreciate the input!

If memory serves me right, some were saying that wasn't an actual '52 Mantle, just a photo cut from a magazine.

Last night in SCP. $103K for an SGC 6.


https://catalog.scpauctions.com/1952...-LOT51386.aspx

I had the privilege of seeing Mantle play at the old Yankee Stadium on several occasions. When he came to bat, there was an electricity in the crowd that was palpable. I recall one game when he hit HR's from each side of the plate and the Stadium erupted.
I have never owned a '52 Topps Mickey, and probably never will but, in my first year of collecting, I pulled his RC. Where I grew up in Schenectady, NY was fortunate enough to receive a bounty of the last series of the set.

Nicer than most of the 6s I've seen.

I think this bodes well for my friend to find a nice six 52 Mantle at the National with his budget in cash.

[QUOTE=tedzan;2231140]1st.....as a dedicated "SET collector".....Yes, this card is '"OVER-PRICED" (and so are most other Star cards in this hobby, nowadays).

"OVER-HYPED"....as a long-time Yankees fan, who saw him play, 1951-1968, I do not think so. Mantle generated a special excitement
very similar to Babe Ruth.


2nd.....I guess I'm one of the few guys on this forum who have experienced the thrill of pulling a Mantle card from a TOPPS wax-pack
in the Fall of 1952.

The two Mantle cards from my Master 1952 TOPPS set......

Type 1 .................................................. .............……............. Type 2


Let's not forget Ted, Your type 2 Mantle was cracked out of the slab by some numbskull and put into a new SGC holder. And now resides in my collection:D

Not centered, but I'm more than happy with it for what I paid for it. ;)

I have been in the over-priced and over-hyped crowd since I got back into cards in the mid-80s. I figured as those of us who were able to watch him play die out, the demand would drop along with the price. I hadn't counted on it gaining the statue that it has. Nor did I count on the younger generation picking up his mantle, as it were. :) Also, after almost 45 years of thinking it is over-priced, I'm positive that as soon as I get it, if I do, the price will drop.

I have over almost 700 different Mantle items, with around 60 items on my want list. The '52 Topps tops the list. Unfortunately, I want both versions. Also unfortunately, there are other rarer cards that don't cost as much. I would therefore be more likely to get them as the chance arises.

Lastly, I have tended to not pay as much attention to the auctions since there are so many. And I regret that now. If I had known about the SCP auction, I would have been in play for that Mantle. I may not have gotten it, but it definitely would have gone for more than it did. :mad: Congratulations to whoever got it! Also, as someone else said, the price is encouraging. Maybe I'll be able to get both versions in a 4 or 5.

And more lastly, to all you youngsters, stop it!! Let us old-timers get the Mantles. And stay off my grass!!! :D

and like the Wagner...it has a Story

(SP+ dump in wateR)

Time for me to open all those unopened 1953 Topps packs I have lying around!:D

Fuddjcal.....Hey Chuck

I'm glad that my 2nd 1952 Mantle (Type 2) is in a Net54 member's collection.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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John

When you do, and a Mantle is in one, I hope it's in the middle of the stack in the pack....so it doesn't get an ugly gum stain :)


TED Z

T206 Reference
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"OVER-HYPED", are you nuts ! You don't have to be a Yankees fan to appreciate Mickey
 

Hey Folks....young and old....check-this-out:

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...keeStad25x.jpg


This is the kind of amazing excitement we enjoyed seeing when Mantle swung his bat (whether Righty or Lefty). As the baseball soared high and far when he hit it, it would appear to look
like the size of a "golf ball" in the distance. Today, the game of Baseball is in need of a Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle to restore it's glory of yester-year.


OR, in Griffith Stadium

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...xMantle50x.jpg


TED Z

T206 Reference
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Yogi might say something like the 52 Mantle auction prices are so high no one wants it anymore.

🤷🏻*♂️😂😂😂🙌

Ted,

Always love these kinds of posts from you. We've spoken about this before, but I can only imagine what seeing The Mick was like in person! Players like Mays, and Williams as well.

And I would 100% agree to your point of having a Mantle or Ruth like character. America needs a player they can embrace both on and off the field!

- James