'52 Topps Mantle PSA 1 or '51 Bowman Mantle PSA 4

[pawpawdiv9]

This is where theres 2 views-
As for collecting only- its the 52, no doubt hands down. Centerpiece for most folks.
But from your words, your looking as a investment.
No one can foretell the future. Who is to say maybe one day the 51 surpasess and gets recognized as the true RC.
The 52 is your investment egg for now, I would think.
One question is, once you complete the 51B set, what is next for collecting? Are you keeping it or selling it?
For me, I have both, graded 2. And everytime I open the safe, my eyes always go to the 52. The image alone is breath-taking over the 51.
I am not persuading you to select one way or another, it your decision and collect as you may but I would not combine collecting & investment into one.
No, I did not stay at a Holiday Inn nor am I a financial advisor.

[Bored5000]

As mentioned previously, PSA 1s encompass a wide variety of acceptability. You said your 52T had good eye appeal, so I would rather have the 52T Mantle than a '51 Bowman. Both are iconic, but there is a pop culture factor to the 52T that doesn't exist with the Bowman card.

I know it gets said on here all the time, but choose the one that will make you the most happy to have in your collection, not the one that you hope will be worth the most 10 years from now (since no one knows the answer to that). Some of my favorite cards are ones that are only worth $200-300, but I love them because I could never replace them if they were sold or lost.

You could possibly pick up a low-grade 51B in the future, but even a beater 1952 Topps Mantle has already climbed out of reach for many people. I always try to look at it from a standpoint of don't sell or get rid of cards that could not be replaced. IMO, you would regret trading away the premier post-war card.

[quitcrab]

Keep the 1952 and buy a 51. You may regret getting rid of the 52. It's so iconic.

[Johnny630]

Keep the 52 Topps Mantle, save some cash to buy a 51 when the US economy goes into resession. IMO Those are always the best time to buy high end cards.

[savedfrommyspokes]

I am in the exact same position.....I have a lower grade 52 Topps Mantle and am missing the 51 Bowman Mantle to finish my 51 set. The 51 B set will just have to remain unfinished until I can save up enough to find the Mantle to finish it. The only thing I would trade my 52 Topps Mantle for is a nicer copy.

[marvymelvin]

Here is the picture I promised. It is nicely centered with no stains, tears, holes, or paper loss. I appreciate the discussion. Thanks for all of your thoughts.

I purchased it a number of years ago ungraded from an oldtimer whom I trust and whom had owned it for 30+ years. I just had my 50th bday so I guess I am an oldtimer now too. It was perfect timing as the going price for this card in this grade has gone up, alot. I had some fun money and I thought now or never.

After hundreds of hours if inspection and consultation with alot of helpful people, measuring, close inspection of edges, color, UV light inspection etc, no alterations were found. I felt confident in it. I figured I shouldn't buy/own one, even if slabbed, without an intimate knowledge of how to spot fakes, alterations etc.

Anyway, here it is. I am reluctant to post photos of it. Shortly after I bought it, a person/dealer posted the exact same card on the front page of his website, stating "buying" and "I just bought this card for...." (The original owner sent him a photo just prior to me purchasing it.)

Yes, no big deal, I know. But it did become a big deal for me when someone questioned the validity of my story of how I aquired the card because they saw it on the dealers website. My integrity is important to me. I asked the dealer/owner of the business/website, via email, more than once to take the picture down. No reply. Hmmm.

[stlcardsfan]

I would hold onto the '52 Topps. Too difficult to replace. Has the '51 Bowman's value increased as greatly as the Topps since you bought it? I doubt it, and I doubt it will in the future.

[pawpawdiv9]

Dude, I get that graded. I thinking this may grade a 1.5 with the centering. A hopeful 2 at best.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

Dude, I get that graded. I thinking this may grade a 1.5 with the centering. A hopeful 2 at best.

Pretty sure that it is already in a PSA slab.