I like how you laid out your original photo, and seeing a few other collections done like this is what inspired me to go after a Mantle run as well. Since funds are not unlimited for most of us it helps to provide focus on one's collection and eliminates the desire to collect everything. My goal is to do the run first from 1952-1960 and then slowly work on the 60's - not as fun as the 50's but have to pick up these cards for a complete run. I do not plan on upgrading the 52 and 53 due to $$ for these two cards and I like the ones I have to date. Will do 1956-1960 in PSA 8 and above and have most of them already with a few additions hopefully on the way. Here are a few photos of my run to date laid out.
Since this photo was taken I have added a PSA 8 1956 Mantle, sold one of the 1960 PSA 8's, and picked up a PSA 8 1968 Mantle - both the 1956 and 1968 were PWCC HE.