That's the one on Ebay for $850 right?
When I look at it, it looks like some wear/erasure mark across his chin and lower face. It may even be a touch of recoloring.
Compare that area to others listed, you should notice it immediately. (although there may be something else I am not focusing in on)
While I certainly wouldn't mind owning that card, you can exercise a bit of patience and for only a few hundred more you could probably find one you would be much more happy with ultimately.
But, a word of warning........ be prepared to
act very quickly when a strong eye-appeal example comes up.
As someone who dabbles in Mantle (and also did my own low end framed project) I learned pretty quickly that there is a TON of Mantle collectors who snap up most any strong eye appeal cards very quickly on Ebay and in other areas.
Once you get your budget straight, or you figure out exactly what you want to spend, start watching daily. Check morning, and also in the evening.
But when a good one comes up, be prepared to pull the trigger very quickly.
The good news is, you can always resell a Mantle fairly easily, if you aren't satisfied for whatever reason, down the road.
I'm still regretting not pulling the trigger on a beautifully centered 1969 PSA 7 about a year back.
It was only on Ebay for a matter of minutes before it was gone.
I looked it over, debated it...……… went downstairs for a drink, and 5 minutes later it was gone.
I'm still pissed.
Let me know when/if you finally snag one, I'd love to see it.
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COLLECTING MICKEY MANTLE, ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JACKIE ROBINSON, WILLIE MAYS, HANK AARON and VINTAGE
Successful deals with - "HCV123"/Howard Chasser, "ejstel" , "mzljapan" , "aronbenabe" , "Santo10Fan" , " Robextend", "rjackson44", "Wanaselja", "eliminator", "Dboneesq" , "Oneofthree67", "Lucas00", "ccre" , "D. Bergin" "wawazat", "rugbymarine" and several others.