WTB 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle

[MattyC]

I'd pay more for and prefer the 4 over the 5-- diff'rent strokes, as they say.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I'd pay more for and prefer the 4 over the 5-- diff'rent strokes, as they say.

easy to say you will do that or others that say that kind of thing..but lets see you win a 4 like that for more than the 5 goes for in any type of auction for 4000 dollar plus cards ..talk is cheap...easy to say..ill believe it when I see it...though im not doubting you MattyC I know you have nice centered cards..i sort of talking in general to all the buy the card not the holder guys...I think resale value plays a bigger role than people say...but if someone wins this 51 mantle for a higher price (thus they actually paid and not 'will pay ) than the psa 5 by all means that will back up what they say..

[MattyC]

For what it's worth, the, "Buy the card, not the holder," mantra does serve one very well on resale as well. Time and again I paid premiums for lower grade cards with great eye appeal that some thought were crazy at the time, only to do very well on those occasions when I sold some of those very pieces to go after a pricier card. There are many ways to be happy as both a collector and seller, for us all

I'd add that if one intends to hold a card for a long time, or as I've heard some say a long "investment horizon," one can feel free to pay more for a 4 that looks better to their own personal eye than a 5 which would have cost them less, since they can always hold their preferred 4 long enough and enjoy it during that time. Bottom line, I think so much of collectors' discussions hinges on where the discussion participants each fall on the collector versus investor spectrum.

That said, were I in the market for that 4, I would set my bid, and if it turned out to be higher than the 5 sold for, I would not care at all-- I took home the one I wanted at the price I wanted to pay, is all that matters. I have done it before (with many cards in my collection, and some well north of the price mark you referenced) and— if I love a card— I will definitely do it again, When I love a card, there really is no helping me, LOL!

[pokerplyr80]

Were it not for that crease I think the 4 in this case would go for more than the 5. Centering and Eye appeal is at a premium and people are willing to pay for it.

Here's a good example from a couple of auctions I watched last week:

SGC 3 52 Mantle off center sold for about 13.5k with buyer's premium

http://www.gregbussineau.com/LotDeta...entoryid=12793

SGC 1.5 52 Mantle Centered 10.3k

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-M...p2047675.l2557

I'm sure we'd all agree there's normally at lot more than a 3k difference in the value of this card in a 1.5 vs a 3. I actually thought the SGC 3 would sell for less than it did.

[MattyC]

Just look at the-- so far-- enormous premium being paid for the Goldin Auctions PSA 8 1952 Topps Mantle versus the Heritage example. 300k versus 240k. The Goldin 8 destroys the Heritage 8, for my own money. But another may see differently. Will be interesting to see if that disparity holds up at Hammer Time.

[Iron Horse]

i would agree that the 4 is much more pleasing then the 5.
Yes, i buy the card not the holder/grade

Did you decide yet Peter

[3-2-count]

Case and point. I paid way up for this one for the card alone, not for what the printed number states on the flip. In my opinion this card holds it's own against other examples up to a 6 when taking into consideration centering, registration, stray print lines, color and back staining which it has none of. I'm thinking long term I did okay.

[Peter_Spaeth]

That card deserves a new home.

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

Case and point. I paid way up for this one for the card alone, not for what the printed number states on the flip. In my opinion this card holds it's own against other examples up to a 6 when taking into consideration centering, registration, stray print lines, color and back staining which it has none of. I'm thinking long term I did okay.

Holy Crap, Tony! That card is gorgeous. PINPOINT focus. Deep color. Centering. Whatever an average "5" sells for today, I'd pay more right now for that 4.5. Great eye, brother. Congrats. I'd wager that card would outsell a mediocre 5 all day, every day.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

Case and point. I paid way up for this one for the card alone, not for what the printed number states on the flip. In my opinion this card holds it's own against other examples up to a 6 when taking into consideration centering, registration, stray print lines, color and back staining which it has none of. I'm thinking long term I did okay.

that's a real nice sgc mantle....I have no doubt that will go for more than higher graded copies.....I talking about bidding at the same auction though when people are buying the card not the grade. like the memory lane auction with the 51 mantel..would of be interesting if no crease on the psa 4. .lots of people say they like a card more..but I think we all agree its one thing to say it and another thing to pay the price.........sort of like b/s/t...people comment how much they like someones card for sale, but don't pull the trigger...easy to say...but means a lot more to pay the price then just to say it.....

[CW]

Fantastic Mick, Tony!

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I actually thought the SGC 3 would sell for less than it did.

I think it did. Looking at the auction page it appears the $11,400 includes the BP. Interesting comparison between the two cards, though.

Although I doubt any bidders were fooled, I thought this line was a bit misleading in the description:

"...the offered example is highlighted by a crystal-clear portrait of "The Mick" that is boldly colored and unblemished."

Unblemished?

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by CW

I think it did. Looking at the auction page it appears the $11,400 includes the BP. Interesting comparison between the two cards, though.

Although I doubt any bidders were fooled, I thought this line was a bit misleading in the description:

"...the offered example is highlighted by a crystal-clear portrait of "The Mick" that is boldly colored and unblemished."

Unblemished?

You're right, don't know how I missed that. I guess that proves the point even more about the premium for centering and eye appeal. The seller of a 1.5 on ebay netted more than the seller of a 3 on that auction site.

And yes I'd hardly call that card unblemished. Don't get me wrong any 52 mantle is an awesome card and congrats to the collector who won it, especially if it's another net54 member. I suppose no one will ever list a card as "rough for the grade, use this one to pad your registry." I would appreciate the honesty though and might even bid a little more if they did.