PSA 9 52 Topps Mantle sells for $5.2M
 

I just saw this on another forum. I believe this is the same card that Evan Mathis sold a couple years ago.

https://sports.yahoo.com/this-1952-m...130140720.html

So a 10 might sell for...WHAT?????

Wasn't Evan accused of trimming?

hmmm...not loving the pedigree,,,

absolutely...I think someone posted an ebay purchase of his for a paper trimmer.

This card has been discussed in other threads and it is well known that Evan bought and sold that card in a 9 holder.

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+1

If you wouldn't mind linking some of the old threads I would love to take a look.

Also this is absurd price. I fully understand that if you can drop 5.2 Million on a card you can afford probably anything, and don't care about overpaying but that price is staggering. Granted it would be in a lesser grade, but You could buy a signed version of the 52 Topps for less.

Hell if we restricting ourselves to just baseball cards/memrobillia I'm pretty sure you could buy game used uniforms of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio and you would still be at a lower combined price than what this guy paid for this Mantle, which very well could have been trimmed.

It is a Mantle, and Mantle fans based on my reading "The Last Boy" by Jane Leavy will do what it takes to keep him at the top. I completely respect that.

"The 1952 Topps Mantle is the holy grail of sports cards," Gough said. "As a kid ripping packs in the '90s, I always dreamt of owning one. ... I felt this Mantle was highly underpriced."

I completely get it, as I have game programs from 1956 World Series that I just touch and feel like I am in the presence of him, Jackie Robinson, etc. The aura is real, it was the golden age, and the perception of Mantle will never change. I am glad this overtook Trout.

Now if we can just get T206 Honus Wagner back to the top. I am pretty sure this guy is after one of these, based on his recent purchases.

Props to him as well, as we are both native Indianapolis guys!! I am putting together my measly collection now........just added a nice Joss portrait to sit next to my Young portrait.

So, Evan sold this same card back in 2018 for 2.9 million US and within three years it has almost doubled in value, is that correct? If I was Evan, I would feel like crap right now.

Not surprised to see this at all. Considering it is the highest sought after card in the hobby and considering the grade of this copy, I don't see how this is out of the realms of possibility?

Look what some non sport cards like Pokémon's and others go for. Yes, it is shocking and surprising, but considering the year we just came out of, Imo, this really shouldn't be surprising to anyone.

Before people on the internet start taking snarky pot shots at some guy's five-plus million dollar purchase, it is well known the card in question was sold in the same grade in which it was originally acquired. In other words, Evan Mathis did not alter or bump this card. There are certainly high dollar trimmed cards out there (one I suspect to be trimmed at auction right now, but because I don't have ironclad proof I won't slander it) but not this one.

WOW! I know a man (not very well) who has a PSA 9. He has his and three of his childhood friends' collections. When they started chasing girls he traded things for their boxes of cards.

He had four 52 Mantle's and they were all ungraded. About 10 years ago he met a dealer who said his four cards would grade about 6-7's. He traded two of them for the PSA 9 the dealer had which is his only graded card.

I spoke to him a month ago and he was surprised to hear about the boom in cards as he doesn't collect anymore and has most of them in a safety deposit box to save for his son.

My thoughts seeing this: I bet that dealer regrets that trade and I need to get in touch with this guy and let him know what this just sold for!

Edited to add: I did not personally see the card as he said it was in a bank vault. I did see photos on his phone of a huge gun like safe filled with boxes and boxes of 50’s cards. The stars were simply in top loaders. He had multiples of all of them. I have no reason to doubt him. I will find out!

1 investor or multiple?


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That's a "money means nothing to me purchase" for sure. The cost to that collector was inconsequential. 2 million, 5 million, 10 million no difference. And he thinks he got a steal so more power to him!

I dont have links but several board members know who sold this card to Evan. There is no question about it's authenticity. It was a steal in 2018 at 3M, and it was today at 5.2. The market has changed.

Makes me wonder what a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth would bring with this current market? I don't think there's been any public sales in quite some time. I heard one person owns a number of them despite it's very low total pop.

IMO, this should be the most valuable card in existence. It's just so rare and being hoarded. Who knows when or if an example may surface?

I'd sell any of you my whole collection for just a little less. And I promise I haven't trimmed anything either. :rolleyes:

A legendary card deserves a legendary price. Kudos to the guy who could get it. I would too if I could.

I think it really depends on how Evan used the proceeds. If I remember correctly, I thought he was willing to be paid in bitcoin for that sale, so if he did invest in bitcoin back then, he'd be laughing all the way to the bank, even given the appreciation for this card.

I would agree. The rookie card from the most legendary player in history that is also an extreme rarity. The sky would be the limit.
Poor, Honus though. All my life, the T206 Wagner was THE holy grail in our hobby. I am talking 50 years here. (of my life). It feels weird for another card to hold the top spot.

I completely disagree. You will never lose money buying a card of this caliber. Never. There is always at least one person who will want the best of the best.

Regarding the T206 Wagner comment, if the Gretzky Wagner (the hand cut card that PSA graded an 8 "never get cheated"), ever went to auction, it would crush $6mm. I put the over/under at $20mm, and the next time it sold, it would be double that.

I would take the over. That Wagner will always be the most valuable card. The Baltimore News is the only card that could catch it and it would take a similar high grade example that may not exist.

As for the 52 Topps Mantle, at least 2 of the 3 10s are being held by deep pockets. The 9 is realistically the best one available to new collectors/ investors. That will continue to drive the price on a 9 higher.

"the most legendary player in history"
 

um... i don't ever remember yankee stadium being called "the house that mantle built." :confused:

I Agree with Rhotchkiss
 

I've seen the scenario play out over and over again and not just with baseball cards. Invest in the best within your budget. I've often seen 1952 Topps baseball cards I need that I could buy in a PSA 3, 4 or 5. I don't do it just to complete my set (fill the hole syndrome). I hold out for the PSA 6 or 7 (my financial limit). Which means I need patience and the willingness to pull the trigger when the card becomes available, even if the cost goes beyond my planned budget (within reason). For me that means knowing what PSA 6s and 7s have gone for in recent months. I do my homework by studying past transactions. I'm blessed to be in the position to do this, I know. No one can deny that this market is hot and I don't believe it's a bubble. Time will tell.
Peace.

I should clarify my statement, absurd might have been a poor choice of words on my part. I said it because I don't think I'll make 5.2 Million Dollars in my lifetime, let alone be comfortable with spending that much money on a card. Unless of course I hit Powerball.

I 100% agree, I don't think the price will ever go down. It's a little shocking to me though. And I agree there's always a person that will want this card.

On the other hand...the autographed griffey jr rookie...ABSURD!!!!!!!

100% agree Pete. And there are many other adjectives I could use. I pity the fool who bought the Griffey

haha!

...I was referring to the 1914 Ruth. ...

If there actually is such a fool...

as emily litella would say...
 

"oh, that's very different... never mind." :o

Lol.

Yea I didn't get that one either. I'm sure he doesn't need the money, but let's say Griffey bought 30 psa 10s for 2k each and took them to psa, had them cracked out, signed, and regraded. 25 now got the 10/10 grade. $1M+ profit isn't bad for an afternoon, even for him.

Or if he signs at a national or big show collectors can do the same thing.

Only problem with your plan: if you crack and resubmit 30 psa 10 Griffey’s, only a very few will gem again. Thus is the inanity of grading.

Not EVEN a true Rookie Card. I wouldn't waste my time.

As luck (and reality) would have it, my finances preclude the possibility of such a purchase, so I can rag on it with conviction.


.

I hope you win the lottery, that'll teach you to run your mouth...

I mean, If I had the Money I'd buy it. It's an iconic card of the Hobby. Sure it's not his true rookie, but the 52 Topps set is beautiful, combined with the lore of the card and the fact that it is a Mantle. I outlined how I felt above, I simply think the price is absurd because I can't even comprehend 5.2 Million Dollars, because that's probably more than I'll make in my entire life.

That being said, if I was an eccentric Billionaire you bet everything in the world, that my PC would be insane.

In my opinion the 1952 Topps set is not beautiful and the Mantle is the ugliest card ever made. Who uses a yellow painted bat? The only reason the card has value is because Topps printed so few high numbers. Put it in a low series and it is no different than the 1953 Topps Mantle or any of his other Topps cards.

Difference of opinion. I love the way it looks, I think it's beautiful. I know why it has value between Mantle, the fact it's a high number and the fact that half of them were apparently dumped into the Ocean. I always spend time admiring The small amount of 52 Topps in my collection, as I really like the art.

I do think 53 is the nicer set overall. The early 50s bowman sets too, are rally enjoyable to me as well.

Well not exactly a plan, but that's why I'd want to do it where he's signing and they have onsite grading. But I just done get how a 10 sig adds $50k value to a $2k card when the player is still alive and signing. How many more of these could be created later?

All things being equal, no one else thought the card was worth 5.2 million or someone would have out bid the buyer. I don't know that I necessarily agree the card can't lose value. The 52 Mantle being something only whales can afford in even authentic grades is a very new phenomenon.

The high price for this Mantle gives me reason to believe many other cards will/are also on their way up in price. As crazy as it is, this is a good thing is it not. Pretty sure we all like to have our cards appreciate. The downside is now I can't really afford what I used to collect. So I just sit tight with what I have, pick up an occasional nice card, and thank goodness I did buy what I have years ago.

Is it out of the realm of possibilities that this was a staged event? That's the pessimist in me that just asked that:rolleyes:

The problem with this card is that it has two lives. There is the public life among outsiders who view this card as an iconic "grail" (which is a status I don't think many advanced collectors would agree with) and then there is the collector view who still see the card as iconic but also vastly over priced.

As Mantle-age fans exit the hobby there may be a reckoning ahead for the 52 Mantle.

If I didn't already have one I'd start making plans to buy the 51 Bowman instead. It is Mantle's actual rookie card and in my opinion a far superior image. The value seems stable as well or perhaps even primed to rise being it's an actual rookie card.

What age would that be? If you were a kid and watched Mantles peak you are likely dead or in a nursing home.

The guy who bought this 9 surely never saw him play...I never saw him play yet it's my grail card.

I think it will forever be hobby iconic.

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The guy who bought the card strikes me as the kind of guy who buys anything that's expensive to say he bought it. The hobby is not ripe with people like that.

I don't own but but I would consider it a grail card. Not a grail in terms of scarcity but in terms of demand. Considering how many there are (in all grades) I do feel it is overpriced but apparently not as it continues to go up at every grade. Quite confident most of the collectors/investors buying them the last 5 years likely never saw him take an at bat.

But are they also collectors? The PSA 9 is going to have a small audience any time it comes up for sale. The guy who bought this card only came into cards in 2015 after he got rich. And he's only bought insanely expensive cards according to the articles I've read (PSA 10 Jordans, etc.).

I don't think you can discount the affect being a kid who loved Mantle has on the hobby. Mantle-mania will either be passed down or passed over. It's too soon to tell. And as more collections are made available by family members who inhereit them, the market is no doubt due to be flooded in time with a lot of cards that have been tucked away otherwise.

So I partially agree with this theory, in the sense that I think as the Mantle Age fans exit the hobby, more Mantle's,from all years, both raw and graded, will become available.

As the name and Icon obviously imply, Mantle is my main collecting draw. He was my Dad's favorite player. We started collecting together. I'm 26, Mantle died before I was born, but he's the reason I collect. Sure I've branched out to other Area's of vintage, but The Mick, is the main focus.

As it for being a "Grail" I think among the Post War section of the Hobby it would probably be, "The" Card to own. I do think it's a beautiful card but I would also agree that his 51 Bowman Issue is better.

Also his 52 Bowman Issue gets neglected by the guys that are dropping millions on his 52 Topps. I love his Bowman Issue from that year, and I look forward to owning one eventually.

Um my dad is 74 and far from dead or in need of a nursing home. He was a Dodger fan so he hated Mantle, but he's definitely of an age to remember Mantle's prime as a kid.

The thing that never makes sense to me about this side of the board is that it can't imagine a version of the hobby where nobody cares about a 52 Mantle. And at the same time, it is baffled when someone spends millions on a Trout.

The hobby takes on a different passion for different people. If modern is the future and Trout is king, you have to consider that Mantle may not have as much cache among people who chase Trout, Jasson Dominguez, Fernando Tatis Jr. etc.

Point is people always say "when so and so's fans die off the market for them will correct"

Almost never happens. Especially with the all time greats. That's why they are all time greats.

Its harder than ever to get into the market for these cards.

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I'm just baffled at the market--- tons of money on unproven guys....that's crazy to me. 5k for some Dominguez? Ok but I'll go get an early Mantle or 2.

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Well, that's exactly my point. If the preference is to spend the money on Dominguez you have to consider that the money might not be there for Mantle in the future.

Card is a DP. There are lots of them out there.

Absolutely!

And guys, please, let's not start the "when the boomers die" debate because it makes no sense. Most people who buy Mantles now never saw him play. Furthermore, who watched Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth play? And yet everybody wants their cards! Legends live forever!

It's not so much about boomers dying as it is where the taste of collectors is heading. The prior generation had a huge appreciation for certain players and certain sets. You cannot say that those interests will hold when the modern market is evolving so quickly and steers collectors away from those interests.

For example, and as a microcosm of changing hobby appetites, the complete set has taken a back seat to the insert.

It wasn't in an auction. There was no "out-bidding." The card was not for active sale. It took a big number to pry it loose, and it will be a bigger number when it changes hands again, I'm sure.

Rob Gough? I had to look him up.

I'm all for it, if you have the money and it makes you happy, enjoy it.

This $5.2 million sale for 52 topps mantle PSA 9 is great for the vintage market. Mantle and Ruth and other baseball legends should see their rookies and key cards escalate in price now.

Goldin Auctions has a PSA 8 listed now that is already at $555,000 with 15 days to go

Same thing here, my dad is only 59 and remembers watching Mantle in the second half/ end of his career as kid in the NYC area.

Imagine how much attention this has brought to his clothing line/company name.
In very short order, if he hasn't already, he will make his money back in spades.

I also like what it has done for the hobby. Any exposure is good exposure, imo.

Dale, I thought of the same thing (regarding the exposure for his company), and wouldn't be surprised if he writes it off as a marketing/advertising/PR expense.

All around, smart move to acquire it.

52 Mantle
 

Would it be impolite to point out that the 52 Mantle is a double print?

like the 52 jackie robinson...like the 33 goudey ruth batting...like the red t206 cobb. It seems to help!!!!

So that Mantle was brokered by a company call PWCC Vault Marketplace, I looked up the company and that company would store cards for collectors in their vault?

..... What??? this is something I don't understand... Who would do that? I think I would worry the honesty of that company more than I would worry the safe deposit box of my bank go underwater.

PWCC? Never heard of em?

I heard of PWCC before and I know they accept consignments and all that. I am also aware of the pwcc/psa scandal. I just didn't know they do this kind of "vault storing" stuffs, so shady to me especially with that scandal in mind.

Yes, it is very impolite to say that the market will not skyrocket forever, that the Mantle was not a steal at that price, or in any other way question these investments. Perhaps after you gain some experience in this arena you will realize this.

Could not agree more! But this transaction will pump the value of 8s to one million$.

Yes, the card is a double print, but what is the total population of the card as compared to the current demand? I think there are something like 2000-3000 graded. Let's say the total population is 10000 cards and that may be a stretch. Obviously that is a very small amount of cards to supply such a huge demand and I don't see the demand going down. The 1952 Mantle is not just a baseball card. It is a piece of Americana and is pursued by both collectors and noncollectors alike.

Just imagine what the card would be worth if it was of the greatest Yankee center fielder ever, instead of the second best.

This is exactly what I was thinking! Most rich guys buy these big cards and want things to be hush-hush. Not this dude. He knows that the market is on fire now and the media has been taking a lot of interest in these big sales, and so he used this as an opportunity to promote his clothing brand - very smart!

I agree that Mantle prices aren't going to tank just because his old fans won't be alive anymore, but once they're gone the relative prices will more closely reflect the assessment of impartial younger generations who will regard Mays as the better player.

Mind boggling - over 1400 graded by PSA (9 cards that are graded 9 or higher). That doesn't include the SGC graded cards.

Over $5M for that card? Where does that put the PSA 8 Wagner?

I think I could have found a better way to waste that much money. Perhaps a few million bucks to Jeff Bezo's GoFundMe page when he was getting divorced...

Could you imagine if someone like Bezo's got a bug up his ass to collect nothing but the most popular highest graded stuff. He'd beat down every bidder and then the prices would look even more inflated than they are now.

Respectfully diagree. The Yankees are the premiere franchise and he was the face of them for two decades. There is also the "what if" factor. What if he would not have been so injured and what if he would have taken better care of himself. There is some mystique around him that adds to the value of his stuff.
He was also 3x MVP in the golden era so many would argue about who is better between he and Mays.

Hee Hee, nice one, Jay. Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio...