What if Topps Never Made ...
 

... a Mickey Mantle card in their 1952 series, how would the hobby look like today? Remember, this is the card that is responsible for transforming the entire hobby. When it first sold for $1,000, $2,500 and later $5,000, these were unheard of prices back then. Since then, a lot of cards have been following its path, however, the 52' Topps Mantle still leads the way.

Without the 1952 Topps Mantle, do you think his 1953 Topps card would have gotten all the love instead? What about his 1951 Bowman rookie? And then there is his 1952 Bowman card that rarely gets mentioned these days. And finally, if Mantle didn't have a card in the famous 1952 Topps series, then do you think he would still be the most collected athlete like he is today?

I think the 51B would have been a bigger deal. I think Mantle would have been just as collected.

The '52 Mick was the result of a perfect storm:

• Topps first real issue
• Oversized cards with beautiful artwork
• New York's heir apparent to Joe D in centerfield
• Finally, it was included in the high series, severely decreasing the supply

Where would we be if it was in the low-number series? But back to the OP, I think the '53 would get the love and maybe share a bit of that with the '51 and '52 Bowmans, though not much.

And overall, I think it would have dampened the enthusiasm for high dollar PW cards, where the big boys play.

I think the hobby would still be about the way it is now. Maybe with a bit of a twist, maybe not.

There would probably be a different card taking the place of the 52 Mantle, and yes the 51B would be a bigger deal.

The things that make a "great" collectible.. Rare but not too rare. Just enough to be hard to find but not impossible for someone with enough money.
A very popular subject. Mantle fits the bill nicely.
A good story... The harbor dumping, Honus not wanting to promote smoking, the story makes the card just that much better, and if it's the reason the card is tough, so much the better.

A couple candidates for " That card if the mantle wasn't made.

The 52T Robinson. same series, iconic player, also played in NY, (Hate to admit it, but that matters a LOT)
54 Bowman Williams. Great player, tough card, and a bit of a decent story, although contractual disputes don't quite get us there...
59 Fleer Ted signs.. Pretty much the same.

Or, the "winner" might be

From one of the less known regional sets.
Or some variation.

PSA has graded ~1650 52T Mantle and ~2150 51B Mantle. The Bowman is scarce enough that it would be the big card and there would never have been any confusion about which is a rookie card. As far as the rest, I agree with others that there wouldn't be much different.

I would submit the '52 Mays.

The winner would be another Mantle. Nobody post war is going to take the place of Mantle.

Short term Mike Trout and half the prospects that have never played a single game beg to differ.:D