Requesting Opinions on Mantle Card Value

[SPMIDD]

My dad pulled this card from a box when they were distributed and it was passed to me when he passed. I'd like your opinion as to what you think the value of the card is. I have always said it would be in the $400 to $500 range but I am not sure. I have no interest in selling it...I. just want some opinions. Thanks and fire away.

[SPMIDD]

I tried to fix the pics but evidently, I do not know how.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Here you go. Good luck.

[SPMIDD]

Thanks and I asked Leon to move this to the autograph forum. I probably should have posted it there instead of here.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Very welcome. Good luck!

[Seven]

So it's from Upper Deck's Pinstripe exclusives which came out in 01. You might be able to find it's worth from VCP, but it's tricky since these cards were pretty exclusive.

A Dimaggio from the same set, but numbered to 5 just sold for $668.75 in an auction. Mantle has a bit more of a draw, I'd say there's no reason why you couldn't get at least $800 for this if you chose to sell it.

[SPMIDD]

Thanks Seven. That is exactly the kind of information that I was looking for, I was with dad when he opened the cards and he didn't know what he had until I explained it to him. His eyes then lit up. He was such a Mantle fan, he was obviously ecstatic once he knew that he had an autograph of him. Thanks again.

[Fuddjcal]

while I usually hate signature "cuts" of all kinds and contrived cards, I happen to love this one and ESPECIALLY the story behind it.

I know a lot more about the 80's-90's version of his signature and not the earlier versions, which I believe this "cut" is. I always said I would rather have a cold cut, than an autograph cut as they are 99% fake. So,I would say the signature looks good and signed in the 50's-70's, so it's got that factor going for it. Maybe someone else can confirm that? Someone that might know more than the formerly known, Lowly Mantle collector.

I love Mantle cards and autos. I probably have every one and at minimum 20 Mint balls. I'm about done buying cards due to having everything I ever wanted. I haven't purchased a Mantle Autograph in at least 5 years when the card bug hit.

You ask about approx value: I know nothing about the card before today. The story hits me and it's pretty cool. I'd give you 1K for it. So, I guess it's worth 1K.

Thanks for sharing the story and beautiful it was passed down to you by your dad. I can tell you cherish it and that makes my day. Personally, It would be with me until I passed it on to the next generation, but I'm a semi-hoarder( in small quantities) who still thinks sentimental value means something.

[perezfan]

That's a nice piece and a touching story. I too normally despise these types of contrived cut cards. But this one is cool because of it's family history, the fact that it was well executed, and most importantly the early-career Mantle signature.

Based on the style, I would surmise that the Mantle sig is from 1954, give or take a year. And I agree that the value is in the $800 - $1K range. Great piece!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Mark is spot on: 1953-55 timeframe.

[SPMIDD]

Good stuff guys and I appreciate the input.