MUCH THANKS, fellas. In doing my homework on the #311 over the years, I am astounded by how few examples have great centering. Left-right, top-bottom, tilt, they are almost always hurt in the eye appeal department by centering.
In fact, I found only one 6, one 7, one 8, then the 8.5s to 10s that had perfect centering. Which meant those would go for insane sums if they ever hit market after this 4.5.
I did NOT want to be in the position of seeking an even higher graded dead centered Mantle AFTER this 4.5 hammered. Hence, if I ever wanted a centered #311 I could afford, this one had to be it. I bid accordingly.
Alex, surprisingly the Ruth is very fixed in there. Hasn't ever moved a bit. Must be the way the holder hugs it.
PBS, it has a spot of paper loss on the back, here's a pic below. Still, an insanely harsh grade-- when you see so many 2s, 3s, and 4s looking like they were mauled by a dog.
