I have been an avid collector and student of the 1952 Mantle and its market, including a virtual tracking catalogue of the known examples.
Suffice it to say that many, many, many collectors are after one. It is arguably the first card people look to see in a collection.
And a great deal of guys are seeking just what the OP is seeking. I know three friends actively in the hunt for a low-grade/high-eye appeal example.
Any 52 Mantle with eye appeal is something of a chimera. Just looking at the 6s, 7s, and 8s, one sees the majority even in these "high grades" have "low eye appeal."
Indeed the #311 is a card that a collector spends so much time looking at and admiring, the market for this card has turned in recent years to eye appeal. No matter what the sticker says, there is no turning off your brain and eyes if you are staring at an OC, tilted, or scuffed example.
All that said, my advice to the OP is this--
If you are wanting
a PSA/SGC 1 or 2 that somehow has NO creases and also some eye appeal, you are talking about a relative handful of examples extant.
And when one of these specimens surfaces, any owner/seller is going to put it up at auction or for a VERY high BIN. The demand is simply ENORMOUS, and the supply is relatively infinitesimal.
So most importantly, if you are serious about getting a 52 Mantle with no creases and eye appeal, be ready to compete and pay strong. I have seen so many guys talk about how they want one, then they come to a gunfight with a slingshot. They look at VCP and think they are going to get a great 1 or 2 for the VCP average or close to it, and then someone else who knows what it takes steps up and wins the card.
If you are lucky enough to come across a specimen like the ideal one described in a private sale setting, jump all over it.
And if the price feels too steep but the card looks great, holler at me and I'll buy it
