Newbie seeking advice on evaluating auction
 

I am hoping to get some insight into what I might be missing on an Ebay offering I have been monitoring. It is a BIN for a PSA 1 52 Mantle. Here is the listing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22479913547...h6br2&LH_BIN=1

Looking at the card (not the holder), to my old eyes it looks pretty nice as far as centering, coloring and corners compared to most of the other PSA 1s (and even 2s) I have seen. Most of the lower grade Mantles look like they were extremely off center or held against a belt sander. Am I missing something obvious (or even subtle) that makes this an eyesore to the vintage collectors here? I am not asking if it deserves better than a PSA 1, but rather what is it about the card that would give you pause?

Separately, the price seems to be pretty "fair" based on what I have seen other similar PSA 1s sell for recently (higher than some bad looking 1s, but in line with similar PSA1s that sold at auction houses (after buyer's premium) based on PSA auction price tracker).

I guess my question is: how does this card with 146 watchers of one of the hottest cards in the hobby just sit for weeks? Is there something about the seller or listing that is likely causing it to sit? Is it just not good value for the card? If I was your friend and just wanted to add a good looking Mantle and hold it for 20-30 years, would you suggest jumping on it or wait for a better or cheaper one (since I have a long wantlist and plenty of time to act)?

I apologize if I come off as clueless, but I am new to the world of buying 5-digit sportscards (the few I have were MUCH cheaper when I acquired them years ago) and would like to avoid being the idiot drastically overpaying for a PSA 1 card.

PS - I swear this is not my card and I am not trying to drum up interest in it. Part of my fear in even posing this question is that if it IS a good deal I might miss out by drawing attention to it. But, I figure the odds a 52 Mantle gets listed on Ebay and flies under the radar for weeks is fairly low.

In looking at the listing, one thing sticks out to me. After looking at the 1st image in the listing, I would have had some of the same questions you do. However, in looking at the 3rd image in the listing, I understand why this card is not moving. The creasing apparent in the upper right quad is far more severe in the 3rd image than what it appears to be in the 1st image (or even 2nd image). Thankfully the seller included this image of the card at an angle. The first image appears to be the scan PSA made upon grading the card.

I’ve always assumed for these caliber of cards, that the seller is typically waiting for a serious buyer to inquire to meet at a show or in person. For obvious reasons its much much cheaper for both parties.

Actually, that is a pretty nice 1. I think it is worth about what is being asked. It's a trade-off. The front is well centered and the creases, while numerous and visible, do not cut across Mick's face. The back is also grossly intact. Those considerations in my reckoning give the card nicer eye appeal than the average 1. I have 1.5s and 2s that look about the same. It is sitting because that's a lot of money and lots of watchers don't mean lots of takers.

Ask yourself this: if the card was to drop to $29,500 would you buy it? If yes, and if you have the money, like the card, and want to keep it in your PC for a nice while, I'd say buy it and don't worry about the extra cost. I've never regretted making that sort of buy, but I have definitely regretted not doing it.

If you were my friend....
 

I would advise you not to buy that one. The creasing in the upper right corner is significantly visually distracting. In my opinion it is slightly overpriced at 37K. Price aside, I just don't like the look of the card - I would advise you to hold out for a nicer one (be willing to pay a bit more when one shows up - but buy the nicer card). I agree the centering on the offered card is ridiculously strong.

Actually there is a wrinkle running across Mick's face- look at pic 1.

Still decent centering and great color, I think it's a nice 1.

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I really appreciate the input from everyone. It is interesting how different collectors favor completely different aspects of a card. I think what attracts me to the card is that it has relatively nice centering and the main flaws - creases/wrinkles and some minor paper loss on the edges - are less noticeable from 3+ feet away. Since I intend to display my collection in a wall-mounted case, I think I will not be as impacted by those flaws as some of the responders that likely handle and inspect the card more closely than I would. Although, now that it has been pointed out, I might not be able to un-see it!

I wish there was a way to find the user off of Ebay. He apparently lives within 60 miles of me, and I have to think a face-to-face transaction would make it far less expensive for me and more lucrative for him.

I think it's a good looking 1.
I'd try sending him a note on eBay, or even sending him an offer and let him know that you could meet him in person.

An outside-of-eBay sale would be beneficial to both of you, for sure.

Good luck on your 52 Mantle search!

Ultimately you are the only one who can decide which flaws you are comfortable with.

Before I purchased my 1.5 6 years ago, I asked several people about the copy I did end up with and everyone said to pass on it. My copy is decently centered with relatively even borders, some minimal light creasing, and has strong corners. Its main flaw is what I'll call light surface wear from honest handling on the front, including some on the cap. For me, the centering, the minimal creasing and the lack of corner wear sold me. I honestly did not consider how the light surface wear would figure in a re-sell time.

Bottom line is I was content with this main flaw (or lack of certain flaws) the card had and moved forward with buying it. If you are comfortable with this card, move forward with it.

Just an FYI, some eBay sellers will insta-block you for doing this, as pulling down the item could make eBay think that he is completing off-ebay transactions to skirt their rules. So by attempting to circumvent the rules to get this card, it may make it impossible.

I made an offer on a card once, and the seller offered to take the transaction outside eBay for a better deal. Thanks, but no thanks. No need to risk a ban.

Ebay fees on the sale would only be about $1500 and for that they guarantee payment to the seller and delivery of the item as described to the buyer. And a lot simpler than meeting in a Waffle House parking lot somewhere.

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Ultimately you are the only one who can decide which flaws you are comfortable with.

I agree with the points Larry makes here, especially the above in bold.
Some people are centering OCD (I am to a certain extent), others want perfect clarity, coloring.... registration . Very strong,crisp corners are key for others.

Personally, I tend to gravitate towards cards that have what I call "overall appeal". I like perfect centering, but I can overlook a card thats slightly off center, if it has other aspects that help the overall look of the card. I'll gladly take a card, that has 4 great corners, a very clear image, bold colors......and with these other factors apparent, I can "forgive" if its a tad off in the centering department.
Let's be fair, back in the 50's/60's , a card that would equate to a "PSA 10" or virtually perfect (if you want to call it that)............... they just didn't roll off the presses perfectly in large amounts so to speak. Sure there are some very fine examples, but those are extremely rare.

I often ask myself, when I look at a card, say a PSA 7 of any older card..... I often ask myself "Would you be happy if you opened a pack, and the card came right out of the pack into your hands in this condition?"

For example - Here is a 1962 Roberto Clemente on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/29452211065...3ABFBM4MOqy-hf

The above card looks great in my opinion. Yes, it does have its faults.....(the while line across the top, a couple areas of very slight chipping, what appears to be slight stains <gum stains maybe?> on the back, centering issues on the front AND back.)
However, if I was a kid and a Clemente fan, I would be absolutely thrilled to have opened that pack and pulled that card in question. I'd be proud to own it now too. :)

We all have our likes/dislikes, and threshold of whats "acceptable" in our collections, and what isn't.
But as Larry said, its all in what you are personally comfortable with.

On that note, Larry (savedfrommyspokes) if you don't mind, please post a picture of your '52 Topps Mantle. I doubt I have seen it, but I would love to have a look at it.
(feel free to PM a picture of it, if you'd rather not post it here)




:)