1951 Bowman Mantle. Thoughts requested.

[bobbvc]

Posting for a non-collector friend. His Mother in law inherited this card from an old boyfriend approximately 20-25 years ago. I'm more of a Dead Ball Era collector so looking for thoughts on this card from those who collect 50's era. He's not looking to sell, but would like to know value for future potential. Must say, in hand it feels legit. Anyone see any red flags or venture a guess on a slab grade? Appreciate the help as always.

[Stonepony]

That's a fake 1951 Mantle, albeit a nicely centered one.

[MattyC]

If I could only find a real 51 Mantle with that centering!

[JustinD]

Agree with Dave,

Definitely not legit.

[bobbvc]

Originally Posted by JustinD

Agree with Dave,

Definitely not legit.

What are the red flags?

[bobbvc]

Couple different scans for reference

[REGGIE206]

I just bought a 1951 Bowman Mantle RC not too long again (PSA 1), so I've done a lot of research on this card. A few things that raise a flag (to me) is how white the boarders are, the perfect centering, and the color of the back. The coloring on the back is really hard to fake. A real back color ages in a way that is hard to explain. The color is very rarely perfectly even. Here's the back of my card for an example:



With the front of real 1951 Mantle's, the boarders are more gray than white.

Now keep in mind that my reasonings are just "flags", not exact reasons that make it fake.

But that is just my two cents after my research. Shoot, I may be wrong with my assessment. That was the reason I shot for a graded PSA when I was in the hunt.

I hope this helps!

[Stonepony]

Bob, there are many things wrong with the card. I'll address one: The text on the back is way off and doesn't line up at all compared to a legit card. Example- look where the "P" in picture lines up with the copyright logo on yours versus a graded card. Same alignment problems at top. One of many problems.
Dave

[Peter_Spaeth]

A fake that reproduced the vertical print line so often seen on this card?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bobbvc

Posting for a non-collector friend. His Mother in law inherited this card from an old boyfriend approximately 20-25 years ago. I'm more of a Dead Ball Era collector so looking for thoughts on this card from those who collect 50's era. He's not looking to sell, but would like to know value for future potential. Must say, in hand it feels legit. Anyone see any red flags or venture a guess on a slab grade? Appreciate the help as always.

This card screams fake. I not know many people that inherit cards from ex boyfriends (thats a red flag already). It would be too good to be true to inherit a real RC mantle to boot.

You can always send it in to get a ? Authentication slab grade which can get 100 bucks .

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by bobbvc

What are the red flags?

Color is off, paper is off and the print quality makes it able to be flagged as a copy in seconds. Look at the typeface clarity of the other one posted for comparison, it will be very easy to notice.

[bobbvc]

Thanks all, for the info, keep 'em coming. I will pass this along.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bobbvc

Thanks all, for the info, keep 'em coming. I will pass this along.

What other cards did she inherit from her ex-bf. 1954 Topps Mantle or 1948 Leaf Joe Jackson?

[bobbvc]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

What other cards did she inherit from her ex-bf. 1954 Topps Mantle or 1948 Leaf Joe Jackson?

No others. I'm not absolutely sure inherit was the right phrasing on my part anyway. My main point was it was acquired about 25 years ago just to set a timeline. So, not a recent fake for what that's worth.

[bobbvc]

And in the mean time I found my one 1951 Bowman card (Jerry Coleman) and did notice some differences. Thanks again for the info.

[Volod]

The biggest red flag on the backside is the skewed lettering of "Baseball." Take a look at your card juxtaposed against a genuine.

[bobsbbcards]

I need to go look at my card--you've made me question the legitimacy of it even though it's graded.

[marvymelvin]

Sunburned Mick.....Another give away is when Mick's face looks like the new "Extra Crispy Colonel" in KFC commercials. The skin shading and skin tone on many fakes is not just off a bit, it is waaaaay crispy.....