Should I Cut This Mickey Mantle Bazooka Panel?

[con40]

Don't bother cutting it out... since some of the black border along Mick's bottom edge is missing, the card will only grade "Authentic" whether it's a single card or whole panel.

[bigtrain]

Nice that Mick is card no. 7.

[Wymers Auction]

I do not think that it would receive a high grade anyways so I certainly not risk it.

[Gary Dunaier]

I agree that you should leave it as is.

If you want to enjoy the Mantle card as a single item, make a copy of the scan and crop the copy to "create" a Mantle single.

[doug.goodman]

It's beautiful as it is.

[joed25]

Any idea what it's worth?

[novakjr]

Don't know what it's worth, but I'd gotta believe it's more valuable as a panel, than as a single card.. I think the closer it is to it's original form, the more valuable it should be(obviously the full box would be ideal).. Now if the Mantle portion were mint and maybe there was a crease on one of the others, I could see maybe cutting it(personally still wouldn't do it though). But that's irrelevant in this case anyways. The creasing seems pretty consistent all the way around, and the single is in pretty much the same condition as the panel as a whole..

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by joed25

Any idea what it's worth?

I am assuming your initial comment was asking whether you should keep it as a panel but clean up the edges? Either way, just wanted to point out that this is one of the best of the Mantle Bazooka issues to have in panel form. The 1966 and 1967 Mantles are identical. The only way to distinguish them is, I believe, is when they are in panel form. I believe yours is a 1966 (although have not seen a graded 1967 to confirm my suspicions).

As for prices, most panels I have seen were listed in excess of $1,000. I think those prices are a bit steep, and it does not appear anyone is selling at that price. The only panel I have seen that has sold was a 1964 in similar condition to yours (very presentable but trimmed slightly short and only graded authentic). It sold on eBay for $250 plus shipping, which I think was a very good price for the bidder. Cannot say for sure what yours would get though, but those are just some numbers to give you a sense of the market. It is a cool piece.