Mile High sold prices of interest

[1952boyntoncollector]

A centered SGC 5 1952 Mantle for 41k seemes to be pretty cheap

The many 1952 Topps lots i thought sold for a very high prices considering as a whole.

The 1952 Topps PSA 9 cards sold extremely high

[irv]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

A centered SGC 5 1952 Mantle for 41k seemes to be pretty cheap

The many 1952 Topps lots i thought sold for a very high prices considering as a whole.

The 1952 Topps PSA 9 cards sold extremely high

That Mantle looked way under graded to me.

Nice prices realized on the others I thought as well.

[KendallCat]

Some crazy prices elsewhere last night.

1966 Mantle PSA 8 from PWCC went for over $4k!!

1962 Mantle PSA 8 on Sirius went for close to $11k pre BP

1956 Mantle PSA 6.5 went for over $10k last week in REA!!! That is PSA 8 pricing.

Those are crazy prices. Seems like collectors are paying huge premiums for centered examples these days.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

A centered SGC 5 1952 Mantle for 41k seemes to be pretty cheap

The many 1952 Topps lots i thought sold for a very high prices considering as a whole.

The 1952 Topps PSA 9 cards sold extremely high

It might be my imagination, but it seems like there has been more competition for higher graded 1952 Topps cards.

Z

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

It might be my imagination, but it seems like there has been more competition for higher graded 1952 Topps cards.

Z

For PSA 9s and PSA 8.5s i agree, its like the big collectors already have their 8s and now going for the next tier. I see this in the 1954s as well. PSA 8s are going relatively cheap or same the past few years but 9s are reaching new highs when POP isnt very high relative to the set at issue

That being said the 1952 lots (psa 8s and 7s ) went very high with mile high meaning that they look like collector purchase and not dealer purchase. I dont think you could break up many of the lots won if any and just flip to ebay auctions and make money. You could try the BIN game but who knows......the pwcc auctiions though were trending lower and lower...many common 1952 psa 8s with pwcc were selling at 90-130 the last few months when normally they would be at 150+. SMR also went down a little on many 1952 PSA 8s a few months ago

And back to the 1954s, you will see most common 8s sell for under SMR but common 8.5s and 9s double, triple and more SMR

[sflayank]

same old question...stupid buyers or rigged auction
pwcc 4k last night
mile high 3k perfectly centered
and there are a half doozen on ebay right now BIN from 1680 to 2200
a few of which are dead centered
SO SOME EBAY BIDDERS ARE BIDDING ON PWCC AND ARE INCAPABLE OF LOOKING ELSEWHERE ON EBAY FOR 1/2 THE PRICE
not only did the 8 sell for 4k but the 8.5 sold for less from pwcc at the same time
buyers with nothing better to do with their money i guess

[MattyC]

That Mile High Mantle 66 PSA 8 is not perfectly centered; it is off both ways, actually, though a pretty card.

Re: that 1962 Topps Mantle PSA 8 that went for $11,000 at Sirius last night, I was the underbidder. Congrats to the winner, a beautiful specimen.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by MattyC

That Mile High Mantle 66 PSA 8 is not perfectly centered; it is off both ways, actually, though a pretty card.

Re: that 1962 Topps Mantle PSA 8 that went for $11,000 at Sirius last night, I was the underbidder. Congrats to the winner, a beautiful specimen.

I think you're ushering in a new phrase to replace "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride"…

Always the underbidder, never the top bidder.

[KendallCat]

I had sniped the card at $3300 and got smoked on the PSA 8. While I did not see the Mile High card the 8.5 had a tilt and print dot on the bottom. You are correct there are a bunch of 8's in the $1600-2200 range, but most are off center, tilt...

[MattyC]

Yeah, the 66 is kind of sneaky tough in that regard; if you're OCD and want one without the white dot, tilt, or that slope effect to the bottom red area, it's tough finding the right one.

Definitely underbidder syndrome lately for me LOL. I am underbidder on another great Mick at another AH right now. I suspect the current bid will bring it home.

On the Sirius '62, Kendall was talking with me in the overtime; if I wasn't shooting for doubles I would've def made that next bid!

I guess that's the good thing when already sitting on a specimen we as collectors are happy with-- we can swing for doubles or an incremental upgrade, and it's not the same intense bidding as if filling an empty slot in our collections.

I kind of hope VCP doesn't log in the Sirius card so the next great 1962 Mick may go a little cheaper!

[pokerplyr80]

After reading the comments I had to take a look on ebay. None of the 8s or even 9s up are dead centered, and most have tilt as well. (For the 66 Mantle.)

And Matt I don't think you have much to worry about with VCP. They don't seem to be reporting much of anything other than ebay sales these days.

[KendallCat]

I think I would be better at stopping my Mantle run from 1952-1960 versus chasing a bunch of 60's Mantle cards that have doubled to crazy prices. I like 65 and 66, but have no real desire to pay PSA 8 $$ for 1961, 1963, 1967, 1969... Decisions, decisions. Might just grab more 1956-1958 in PSA 8/8.5.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

I think I would be better at stopping my Mantle run from 1952-1960 versus chasing a bunch of 60's Mantle cards that have doubled to crazy prices. I like 65 and 66, but have no real desire to pay PSA 8 $$ for 1961, 1963, 1967, 1969... Decisions, decisions. Might just grab more 1956-1958 in PSA 8/8.5.

It's still cool to have the whole run together. Maybe just get the 60s in PSA 7. You could get each for less than you'll spend on another 56 in an 8.

[KendallCat]

You are correct and I am just being pissy. Missed out on several nice 8's lately, and for the 60's I am only doing 8's or better. Actually doing the entire run in PSA 8 or better except for the 52 and 53 which I already have and will be tough to improve upon without spending a fortune. Here it is to date.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

You are correct and I am just being pissy. Missed out on several nice 8's lately, and for the 60's I am only doing 8's or better. Actually doing the entire run in PSA 8 or better except for the 52 and 53 which I already have and will be tough to improve upon without spending a fortune. Here it is to date.

nice cards.so far only one of your cards did mantle actually swing the bat...i dont know why he wants to take so many pitches or not even have a bat in had if he expect to hit a homer

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

You are correct and I am just being pissy. Missed out on several nice 8's lately, and for the 60's I am only doing 8's or better. Actually doing the entire run in PSA 8 or better except for the 52 and 53 which I already have and will be tough to improve upon without spending a fortune. Here it is to date.

Those 52 and 53 Mantles look quite nice for the grades from what I can see. Excellent centering on both and the 53 red bleed looks sweet.

[aconte]

What did everyone think of the price on the 1953 Stahl Meyer Psa 2 MK?
Great card for sure!

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by aconte

What did everyone think of the price on the 1953 Stahl Meyer Psa 2 MK?
Great card for sure!

I was underbidder. I really wanted that card but couldn't press it up another increment. The hammer price was not crazy IMO. That's a really nice 2

[KendallCat]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Those 52 and 53 Mantles look quite nice for the grades from what I can see. Excellent centering on both and the 53 red bleed looks sweet.

Thank you. Got really lucky on the 53 Mantle, and years ago I had a monster of a 53 Mantle in PSA 8 that was before the 1/2 point grading system. That card today would no doubt be an 8.5 - had a perfect red corner and 4 sharp corners and great centering. This one is just as nice except for something up at the top border which is very hard to see but it is there. Could be my favorite card, and would sell the rookie before the 53 since I could not replace it without spending $50k+. Here is a close up of it.

[aconte]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

I was underbidder. I really wanted that card but couldn't press it up another increment. The hammer price was not crazy IMO. That's a really nice 2

I agree Dave. I wanted to take a shot at it but could not do it right now.
It was a clean card for sure.

[pokerplyr80]

That's a great start to your run Kendall. Mantles with centering like that are few and far between.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by aconte

I agree Dave. I wanted to take a shot at it but could not do it right now.
It was a clean card for sure.

no doubt

[KendallCat]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

That's a great start to your run Kendall. Mantles with centering like that are few and far between.

Thank you for the nice comments. I tried to find examples with nice eye appeal and centering - Matty C has taught me a lot in regards to centering and things to look for when selecting cards. I have included a few more close ups of cards in the run.

1952 Mantle rookie



1956 PSA 8



1956 PSA 6.5 - might be as nice as the 8



1960 Mantle PSA 8

[mintonlyplz]

KC...Exceptional 52 Mantle for the grade. Color pops...and near dead centered side to side w/o a tilt! Quite an accomplishment. Your '60 is one of the best I have seen in term of registration. I am first in line if and when you want to sell it. The 56 6.5 is not as nice as the 56 8...due to corners and coloration...but still beautiful for the grade. Thx for closeup!

[mintonlyplz]

KC...Have you tried to bump the '60?

[MattyC]

That 1960 Mantle is exceptional. The main image is focused, and the batting image has great registration, thus avoiding the "caved in" look to one side of his face that many examples have. Also, great print quality— no print defects in the red, the yellow, along the top of the main image pane, or even around the black team logo circle.

All those attributes in one specimen make it quite rare as compared to all the others that were printed. Must look great in hand, because blown up scans always exaggerate flaws, and even blown up on a screen, it looks great.

[KendallCat]

Thanks for the notes and comments guys. Matt - the '60 Mantle was the one I asked you about when I had the pair of PSA 8's about a month ago, and I could not decide which one to keep and which one to sell. The one I sold had better centering, but for the reasons you stated the one I kept has better color, registration, and focus - the other one was not as shape particularly in the face area.

Monte - I have not tried to bump the 1960, but I am taking some cards to Chicago next weekend for the Sun Times show and plan on submitting a few for review including the 60. Do you guys think it has a shot to bump based on what you see or should I save the $$. Also, I agree on the 6.5 Mantle not being as nice as the PSA 8 - the 8 was a PWCC HE card and of the half dozen or so 8's I have owned over the years this was by far the best one. Pretty similar to the 8.5 I used to own. Not sure if it would have a chance to bump so any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks again for the comments. Now I need to find me a 1957 and 1958 finish out my 50's run. I am keeping the 59 in PSA 7 since I don't think I can find an 8 that would warrant bumping my 7 out of the lineup.

[irv]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

Thank you for the nice comments. I tried to find examples with nice eye appeal and centering - Matty C has taught me a lot in regards to centering and things to look for when selecting cards. I have included a few more close ups of cards in the run.

1952 Mantle rookie

Beautiful cards, KC.

Can you see/tell why your 52 graded only a 3? It looks way nicer than that to me but I likely can't see the reason(s) why in the scan?

[mintonlyplz]

I hope PSA considers how extraordinary the registration is on the '60 Mantle and bumps it to an 8.5 despite not being dead centered...well deserving.

I think the '56 also has a chance based on centering and beautiful coloration. If PWCC designated it HE...I would submit it. I am batting .333 (1/3) on bumps with their designation. The only bad thing about that is the card is re-holdered and loses the HE sticker...but you still have the card stating such. My only concern would be the upper left corner on the '56 when viewed horizontally.

[KendallCat]

Originally Posted by irv

Beautiful cards, KC.

Can you see/tell why your 52 graded only a 3? It looks way nicer than that to me but I likely can't see the reason(s) why in the scan?

Irv

Thank you for the note on the Mantle rookie. I am biased and think it would be hard to find one nicer under a 4.5 - Matt has a 4.5 that smokes most 5's and 6's out there. Mine has an almost invisible surface crease on the upper right portion going towards his hat. Without it I would say it grades a 5/5.5.

The thing I like about the card is that at first glance it looks like it is in the wrong holder - too many Mantle rookie cards are horrificly off center even as 6's and 7's. I would say 70/30 to 80/20 is more common than 60/40.

[irv]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

Irv

Thank you for the note on the Mantle rookie. I am biased and think it would be hard to find one nicer under a 4.5 - Matt has a 4.5 that smokes most 5's and 6's out there. Mine has an almost invisible surface crease on the upper right portion going towards his hat. Without it I would say it grades a 5/5.5.

The thing I like about the card is that at first glance it looks like it is in the wrong holder - too many Mantle rookie cards are horrificly off center even as 6's and 7's. I would say 70/30 to 80/20 is more common than 60/40.

Thanks, KC.

I agree with you a 100%. Definitely not a 3, imo.

Very nice card!

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

I was underbidder. I really wanted that card but couldn't press it up another increment. The hammer price was not crazy IMO. That's a really nice 2

Dave, I'm really glad you couldn't press it up another increment. I only wish you had stopped a few increments earlier.

As you might have guessed by now, I was the high bidder for that card. I really didn't want to pay that much for it, but it is a really nice 2 and the mark on it is small and not too noticeable. Now I just have to be patient and wait for it to come to its new home.

[toppcat]

That 53 Stahl Meyer Mantle is pretty nice--I have to say a mark like that from the original intended use of a redemption would not bother me. Put a modern day pen mark on it though and I'd hate it.

[aconte]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

Dave, I'm really glad you couldn't press it up another increment. I only wish you had stopped a few increments earlier.

As you might have guessed by now, I was the high bidder for that card. I really didn't want to pay that much for it, but it is a really nice 2 and the mark on it is small and not too noticeable. Now I just have to be patient and wait for it to come to its new home.

Great pickup Mike!

I don't mind the mark and I think it is part of the charm of the Stahl Meyer
cards. I still wish I could have tried to go after that one.

Don't blame Dave...lol...if the bids would have stayed low, I would have
pushed it some.

[brian1961]

For Dave, Tony, and Michael:

I devoted two chapters to my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, on the 1953-55 Stahl-Meyer Franks cards. There's extensive coverage on the Mickey Mantle cards of 1953-54. While I cannot say if there will be any information you do not already know, I honestly believe you would find what is presented very worth your time to read and the $30 I charge.

Mind you, it is an E-book on a CD. Works great. Simply put, you insert the CD into your disc drive of your computer or laptop. You'll enjoy it as you would enjoy reading and relishing the threads on Net54baseball.com.

PM me if you are interested in pursuing the matter. In my heart of hearts, I think you'll be very glad you did. Our hobby is not known for producing a nice wealth of reading material beyond price guides; my book offers something most worthwhile about the 1947 - 1971 regional / food "free" prizes.

If you wish to consult someone else about what THEY think of NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN before considering buying my book, contact Net54's Chris De Bono. Several weeks ago, our Rich Klein wrote on the board Dr. Jim Beckett really enjoyed my book.

My first customer is a huge Pirates card collector. He said he loved my book, and furthermore, it helped him quickly with two matters regarding Buc cards.

Should you wish to read the press release of NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN that my editor, former SCD editor Tom Bartsch, wrote, simple Google search the book's title--comes right up!

Food for thought!

Best regards, guys. Oh, and serious condolences on losing out on the Stahl-Meyer Mickey. A tough loss, for sure. Heartiest of congrats to you, Mike, the winner.

I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to own two of them, and if you went by the Beckett and SCD guides of 1988-89, I seriously overpaid for them both. However, when I was tenaciously hunting for the tough Mickey Mantles, I was NOT looking for a good deal. I was looking for a good card that was very, very tough to find in pleasing condition, and on this one, I expected to pay accordingly. When the phrase was coined, "you can throw the price guide out the window on this one", a Stahl-Meyer Franks Mantle could easily have been the catalyst. Furthermore, on each of the two occasions I got a Stahl-Meyer Mickey Mantle, when I saw the card, and it met my approval, I NEVER felt I had overpaid. I was just so happy with the card, both times, that they were such vibrant, fulfilling achievements for me as a raving "Mantle maniac".

I am very picky, looking closely at the picture clarity, the brilliance of the color chroma, print spots, corners, and centering. When you find something that's very scarce and rare X 10 to the third power, and it fulfills all you cherish in a card you love, you had better watch yourself so you don't do something stupid and louse up the opportunity. If it costs a few hundred more, you must remember, you may not get another chance in your lifetime again. Most of the time when you get a badly-wanted acquisition, you overpay, and just so relieved you got the card! That's how it was for me, at least. But then, when I was seriously buying, it was the late 1980s. This is late 2016, and the good cards cost a good fortune. Distilling the motivational feelings, aggression, and desires---nothing has changed. Those cards are still as elusive as ever, but the price to own them has most assuredly skyrocketed. Anyway, Mike, nice going. I looked at the card closely on Mile High's site---a regal beauty.

Seriously, when you get your Stahl-Meyer Mantle, please convey to us your feelings when you first hold it in your hand. From personal experience, I found holding this card profoundly moving, and quite above the 1952 Topps Mantle, much as I loved that card. Please don't underestimate how absolutely thrilling it was when I got my own 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, back in early 1973. Yes, I remember it well. The ONLY card that moved me more was the Stahl-Meyer Franks, a card for years and years I honestly thought I would never own.

---Brian Powell at bfpowell2003@yahoo.com

[AustinMike]

Dave, Tony, and Brian,

Thanks for the kind words. The problem with the Stahl-Meyers and the Briggs Meat is that there aren't too many decent ones that come up for sale. There was a real nice Briggs Meat that was auctioned two or three or four months ago. There was way too much interest in that and I don't think I was even the under bidder on it. I wish everyone would stop collecting Mantle cards until I get what I need.

Brian, you really want to use Chris as a reference for your book? Seriously though, if Chris likes it, that's a good reference. Chris and I have been exchanging notes on Mantles for over a year now and he is a good source on all things Mantle. I have actually thought about getting your book in the past. There are also some books on the Post cereal cards from the early '60s I want to get at some point (although I think at least one of the years is out of print). But right now, I need all my cash for Mantle cards and Post panels.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

Dave, Tony, and Brian,

Thanks for the kind words. The problem with the Stahl-Meyers and the Briggs Meat is that there aren't too many decent ones that come up for sale. There was a real nice Briggs Meat that was auctioned two or three or four months ago. There was way too much interest in that and I don't think I was even the under bidder on it. I wish everyone would stop collecting Mantle cards until I get what I need.

Brian, you really want to use Chris as a reference for your book? Seriously though, if Chris likes it, that's a good reference. Chris and I have been exchanging notes on Mantles for over a year now and he is a good source on all things Mantle. I have actually thought about getting your book in the past. There are also some books on the Post cereal cards from the early '60s I want to get at some point (although I think at least one of the years is out of print). But right now, I need all my cash for Mantle cards and Post panels.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Austin Mike,

Yes, Chris De Bono is a good friend and a terrific guy. I am very happy and relieved he seems to enjoy my book. Furthermore, he willingly shares what he knows when he is able; I admire that. However, I also respect, to a point, the chap that must keep his knowledge "locked" due to the fact he is still striving to hunt down some of the scarce and / or rare regionals. I was the same way.

My book is a tell-all in the respect that since the cards are now exceedingly "over my head" price-wise, I might as well share everything I have gleaned on my subject from the years I collected, off and on since 1961. Furthermore, I was blessed with numerous key hobby people sharing with me some of their knowledge and riveting sea stories that were integral to a given chapter. Off the top of my head, I am speaking of the likes of Larry Fritsch, Bill Zimpleman, Lionel Carter, Dick Reuss, Doak Ewing, Mr. Mint Alan Rosen, Jim Cumpton, George Husby, Bob Solon (second hand, but most reliable source), Clay Hill (recently retired from Sports Cards Plus in CA), Bill Mastro, Rob Lifson, and Jack Urban.

You wrote correctly about the oh-so-true fact that there is an absolute paucity of decent Stahl-Meyer Franks and Briggs Franks specimens that come up for auction or sale. After your Mile High Auction dogfight that you so beautifully won, I did a quick check of the PSA POP REPORT on what they've graded of the 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mantle. Of the 45 submitted to them, a hair over two-thirds of them---31 mind you, came out as PSA 1 POOR. For such an elegant, beautiful, and regal Mickey Mantle king-sized ruby, that is one depressing but telling stat. As poor as many wound up being, having been imprisoned for a time between two rows of four fatty, wet, red juicy stain-inducing hot dogs; well, what would you expect? On top of that, as you gents discussed, cards as this one, serving as a "free prize" and performing double duty as a package stiffener, were given the bluish-purple stamp lot inventory number on the front of the card. At least the stamp was not applied to a player's face; that would have been intolerable!

With such a damaging original environment for most of the cards, as I wrote, low high-grade on THIS ISSUE commences with PSA 2 GOOD. If you're particularly sharp, in my last sentence you might have noticed I used the word, 'most'. If you're curious, and studious, you had better buy my book! Really, Mike, you did very well. The hot dog stain streaks are very mild, while the stamped numbers do not jump out at my eyes.

As for saving your bucks to buy Mantle cards and Post panels; obviously, you have good taste. Still, me bucko, an educated collector is a knowing collector. The measly thirty dollars I charge, relatively speaking of course, will reward you with a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration of the Stahl-Meyer Franks, and several other tough Mickey Mantles as well, since we're on the subject of The Commerce Comet, than you ever thought existed. Puts a lot of the tougher pieces in their proper perspective. I have to stop---my wife just told me it's time to eat!

Take care, Mike. I wish you the best, my fellow collecting warrior!

---Brian Powell

PS--Supper is over. Besides my own CD E-book, please do avail yourself of the opportunity to purchase Dan Mabey's Post Cereal books. I hope they are still available. I believe they were traditional paper books. Worth every penny, I am certain of that. There's two of them I want to buy THIS SECOND. Even if I cannot afford more of the Post / JELL-O cards, I heartily enjoy reading about the Post Cereal; after all, I have memories of all four years! Certainly I enjoy my childhood collection, as well as the few prime specimens I was blessed with hunting down during my active years as an adult collector. They are superb cards--each of them! Currently, Dan's gunning for the fascinating 1962 JELL-O baseball card promotion. Being a 54-year old regional that was only available in the Chicago and Milwaukee area, that will be a daunting task, to say the least. All I can contribute is a good story involving a refused opportunity to get a box of JELL-O with a Mickey Mantle "free prize" card on the backside during the late summer of 1962; I hope Dan asks me for it, because it's an excellent story that paints a picture of the limitations and vulnerability of an 8-year-old kid collector. A couple years ago, Dan got on Net54 and announced his planned '62 JELL-O book, and asked for contributions. I hope he got "a full case" of them!