Mantle topps

[cubsfan-budman]

I get the impression that folks that actually use BVG *love* BVG. They might not be as strict with their grading, but their slabs are tamper-proof and of course they're "legit" (not a fly-by-night operator like some others you see on ebay).

I guess I can't speak of their ability to discern a fake 52 mantle from a real one, but I guess it would be tough to speak to that for any of the TPAs.

There was a real 52 Mantle expert on the board here though...a nice long rundown of fake 52 Mantle tells. Maybe he could help you with the authenticity issues...then you could just buy the card with no thought given to who'd slabbed it.

[cubsfan-budman]

Here's a recent thread:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ht=mantle+fake

[drc]

I would assume BVG is reasonable. Beckett is if anything more popular and gets higher prices than PSA with modern/recent/insert cards, but doesn't have the same following with vintage. Also, it's a lower grade card. It's not if it's a Nrmt-Mt example.

I think it's a nice looking card. Though, in the grand scheme of things, it amazes me how expensive is the 52T Mantle.

[T205 GB]

52 is not his rookie just the first Topps produced card of him. 51 bowman is much nicer IMO, cheaper, and his actual rookie. Still nice iconic image on the 52 though. Best of luck on one. Go for a SGC slab as the make the image enhanced with that nice black matte boarder.

[Zone91]

Personally I truly like BVG and yes that Mantle is well priced and is also nice for the grade. You would be lucky to find another one that nice for the grade...I say buy it!!! But do not over bid wait to the last minute to place a bid even better the last 20 seconds.

I also own a 52 Topps graded PSA 4 (looks more like a 5)....like I said when a nice one pops up at a reasonable price buy it!!!

To give you a idea I paid 12 950$ for a PSA 4 (again it looks like a 5) so a BVG in 3.5 at less than 10 000$ is a good buy....plus it looks pretty well centered as well.

If you live outside the U.S have it shipped to you using FeDex priority worldwide you will get it the very next day and is the MOST safe method for such a card. I would NEVER use UPS or USPS for this card.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Zone91

Personally I truly like BVG and yes that Mantle is well priced and is also nice for the grade. You would be lucky to find another one that nice for the grade...I say buy it!!! But do not over bid wait to the last minute to place a bid even better the last 20 seconds.

I also own a 52 Topps graded PSA 4 (looks more like a 5)....like I said when a nice one pops up at a reasonable price buy it!!!

To give you a idea I paid 12 950$ for a PSA 4 (again it looks like a 5) so a BVG in 3.5 at less than 10 000$ is a good buy....plus it looks pretty well centered as well.

If you live outside the U.S have it shipped to you using FeDex priority worldwide you will get it the very next day and is the MOST safe method for such a card. I would NEVER use UPS or USPS for this card.

So you ended up buying the '52 Topps Mantle? I thought you had decided to buy the N302 Dunlop instead.

[Zone91]

4815162342

I made a last minute change and upped for the 52 Mantle....did not want to say it here since you guys already think am I kind of crazy.

The Dunlop is a great card but that specific one had sold for a little over 6200$ a few months ago (probably a real good deal for the buyer)...I was not going to spend 12 500$ on it (yes it is probably worth over 10 000$ but not to me). I told the seller....same guy that sold me the 52 Topps Mantle.

Buy a card over 10 000$ and you will see your mind will play games on you as well....it is a lot of money....you have to make the right buy....EVEN if that means changing your mind a few times. I would have NOT have done so if it was 2 separate sellers.

In the end it made me realize I am going to stick with baseball cards no matter what now and in the future.

If I had not got the 52 Topps Mantle I would have not been happy in the end...and I am very very happy with the Mantle. I will always cherish the Mantle as part of my collection I would have not had the same felling for the Dunlop after a few months maybe (Probably) less.

[Matthew H]

Side note: BGS used to be, by far, the toughest grading company on the planet. They created BVG and downgraded their grading scale so that they can compete with PSA/SGC. I had some postwar cards in the old BGS holders that would easily upgrade two full grades if they were crossed-over.

As a raw card collector, I hate having to crack a BVG slab... But the cards are well protected. Much better then the other TPGs. The holders also don't damage the card edges (what an amazing concept)

-Matt