What did the 2/26/22 Heritage Auction 1954 Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle go for?
 

The Heritage Platinum Auction ended late last night / early this morning. I was following, among others, lot number 80022, a drop dead gorgeous 1954 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle in PSA 8. I finally had to go to bed.

Would someone here who is privy to the particulars of Heritage please tell me what the hammer price was for this baby? And with the buyer's premium?

Thanks for your time and trouble. --- Brian Powell

Brian,

It sold for 210k. I agree, beautiful item.
Do you know the provenance on this example like your 53?

Ben

First off, many thanks Ben for taking the time to confirm the final price. Wow. To the best of my knowledge, when that card was graded last spring, it was the first time any Stahl-Meyer Mantle had graded PSA 8. At the same time, the 1953 PSA 4.5 Mantle was graded. Alas, much as I would love to know, I am completely in the dark regarding the provenance of either. As nice as the 4.5 looked, it would seem it had been part of the small find of '53s that entered the hobby in the late 70s via collector / dealer Jack Urban, which is where mine came from. Jack never mentioned to me his Stahl-Meyer find involved other years than the '53s.

Ben, it's quite true the provenance of the card may be different. In the end, the card IS genuine, and it IS PSA-graded, and it came out an ultra high-grade 8! That was enough to get some studious, smart, well-healed Mickey Mantle collectors to propel that baby to hammer at $175 K, and with the buyer's premium, the winner will now have to fork over $210 K, plus shipping et al.

About time.

I was hoping the underbidders for the '52 Topps Mantle PSA 8 would take a good look at the Stahl-Meyer and fight for it. However, if they don't know of its significance, and if they did not bother to read my YOUTUBE comment (the whole thing got just 33 views), and if they're "only" concentrating on the Bowman / Topps 21-gum regular issue salute; well, that will consume just about all their hobby money until they have to call it quits.

Ben, I would still love to be in the presence of said winner of the Stahl-Meyer when he unwraps his new card. If he's anything like me, he will be bowled over with its beauty, and the priceless, perfect portrait of Mick looking deep into his eyes and smiling will turn him into kid again. I was humbled with joy and deeply honored to own mine. I'm sure he'll say it was definitely worth every penny.

--- Brian Powell


PS, Ben. I AM still burning about one thing. Those 2 guys at Heritage had the gall to say on YOUTUBE the Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle was obscure. "Obscure"? OBSCURE!?*@! However, when I calmed down to search for a definition, two that got through to me were "not known to many people" , and "not clear and difficult to understand". Those definitions came from the Cambridge English dictionary. Well, all I have to say is that if a 1954 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle in PSA 8 is obscure, THEN IT IS INDEED OBSCURE AS THE 1957 MILLE MIGLIA-WINNING FERRARI 315S (bought 10 or so years ago by Bernie Ecclestone. OR, OBSCURE AS THE 1958 ROAD AMERICA 500-WINNING FERRARI 335S (THAT WAS AUCTIONED IN ABOUT 2016 FOR $35 MILLION) , OR ONE OF THE 39 1962-64 FERRARI 250 GTOs. Yeah, I guess in that context, Derek Grady and Lee Iskowitz were spot on---the Stahl-Meyer Mantle is truly OBSCURE! Most collectors do not know Stahl-Meyers. Most collectors don't care to know Stahl-Meyers. But, those that DO KNOW Stahl-Meyer Franks cards, especially when it comes to Mickey Mantle, would just wish you go on being in the dark and not know about that rare bird. Don't bother with that Mantle. Forget you even heard about it. Just keep concentrating on those gum card Mantles! It's what's good for you; for sure.

Why?

Simply put, collectors on the prowl for a nice Stahl-Meyer Mick do not need or want more competition than they already have. Good night, buddy. --- Brian Powell