The future of Mickey Mantle collectibles?

[brian1961]

You are right and you are wrong. The cream will remain highly desirable and expensive; the kitsch will probably continue to cool down.

If there's one thing that the many-part SCD Guide to Mickey Mantle items did for sure, it underscored how many Mantle items were made. Many superlatives come to mind. One would be "kazillion". Funny, a few important ones were not mentioned. Anyway, identifying what the creme of the creme would be is not the subject. However, some have already alluded to one of Mick's strong points--he was very, very photogenic. His smile melted your heart and made you a kid again. Many of us also love his cards with his "waiting for the pitch intensity". I could go on and on--Mr. Mantle knew how to "strike a pose." Lots of variety, which is important for us collectors.

When I was a child, other kids asked if I had a card of Babe Ruth. Today the name I hear from kids to adults is Mickey Mantle.

Also, the kids who went with their dads to the big conventions during the 70s through the early 90s where Mickey Mantle was an autograph guest got an unforgettable eye-full--at how meeting Mantle affected their Dads! I've read of some very touching stories. The strong connection to Mickey Mantle was passed down from father to son.

Further, seeing some of Mantle's great cards and again, how much their Dad wanted one or was thrilled to get one back he had lost long ago, would move some of those kids now grown up to collect Mickey Mantle cards and items. 'Cause they like Mantle, and because of the connection to their father.

I think the higher grade Mantle mainstream items will be strong, and that's in part attributed to Bowman and Topps almost always giving us kids a swell-looking card of Mick each year. Also, there continues to be result-proven demand for especially visually appealing scarcities and rarities. They may not be as rare as prewar, though some are actually tougher. However, the desirability has not gone away. The respect and admiration for Mickey Mantle and his cards remains very,very strong.

He always wanted to be known as a great teammate. He was. He was an excellent autograph guest. He had a few bad days and the woman who worked with him really got in his face if he dry-drunk dissed an autograph customer. He listened to her. We can all agree many other athletes did themselves and their legacy a major disservice by their attitude and manner with their adoring fans during a WELL-PAID autograph session. Some of them hurt the future value of their collectibles. Willie Mays was mentioned, and he is a well-known example of this poor behavior to which I referred. I feel the treasured experiences autograph collectors had with Mickey had a way of pouring gasoline on his already hot card market.

Keeping to the subject. Mantle collecting will continue to remain a strong niche in our hobby. He humbly outed the skeletons in his closet, and took his alcohol treatment very seriously. There will be no upsetting news forthcoming. Of the generation of athletes over the past 25 years--no comment. My response is already too long.

Cheers. --Brian Powell

[toppcat]

Legends will remain strong, especially Yankees I think. Perhaps iconic is a better word than legend, like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis. Mays is indeed second tier, so is Aaron and guys like Carlton,Spahn and (amazing to me) Seaver. Ryan is really the iconic pitcher from the 60's-80's period among collectors but will his stuff stay strong, that I am not sure about. I wonder if Jeter will be in this iconic field, even with his cards being so much later.

[Rich Klein]

the next iconic player, the problem is there are too many "key" cards to wrap yourself around. However, because of his penchant for clutch plays he is the next Yankees legend. And Mo will be one step behind then Andy and then Jorge as the core four.

[ALR-bishop]

[ALR-bishop]

[Gr8Beldini]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

the next iconic player, the problem is there are too many "key" cards to wrap yourself around. However, because of his penchant for clutch plays he is the next Yankees legend. And Mo will be one step behind then Andy and then Jorge as the core four.

That Core Four stuff was stupid. Bernie Williams was every bit as "core" as those guys, probably more so than all except Derek. Half dozen other guys that were every bit as "core" as the "Core Four."

[uyu906]

I am a set collector, pure and simple. And in many sets I collect, 1950's-1960's, the Mantle cards are the most expensive. That alone is not the problem, as I am not pleading poverty. The problem is that I hate the Yankees (I come by that honestly as my dad was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan) and do not like Mickey Mantle. So, I am often left with having to pay more for a card of a player I do not like, on a team that I cannot stand, if I want to complete my sets. I am not looking for sympathy. I just wanted to express a small collecting frustration from a non-Mantle fan.

[ALR-bishop]

Rich---as a long term Cardinals fan, I feel your pain

[uyu906]

Thanks Al - I knew that I could not be alone in this frustration. Although, I have noticed in some collecting circles it is considered sacrilege to say anything negative about Mantle cards.

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Rich---as a long term Cardinals fan, I feel your pain

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by uyu906

I am a set collector, pure and simple......and the Mantle cards are the most expensive.......The problem is that I hate the Yankees (I come by that honestly as my dad was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan) and do not like Mickey Mantle. So, I am often left with having to pay more for a card of a player I do not like, on a team that I cannot stand, if I want to complete my sets. I am not looking for sympathy. I just wanted to express a small collecting frustration from a non-Mantle fan.

That is passion! Funny...

I do not think the market for Mantle will ever diminish to any significant extent. I think he is one of last true iconic figures. I don't particularly care for the Yankees, but I have a significant collection of Mantle stuff. They are some of the cards which I most treasure....

Z Wheat

[campyfan39]

Mantle's are heading downhill.
Because I am so kind I will be happy to help you cut your losses and take some of those burdens off your hands.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Legends will remain strong, especially Yankees I think. Perhaps iconic is a better word than legend, like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis. Mays is indeed second tier, so is Aaron and guys like Carlton,Spahn and (amazing to me) Seaver. Ryan is really the iconic pitcher from the 60's-80's period among collectors but will his stuff stay strong, that I am not sure about. I wonder if Jeter will be in this iconic field, even with his cards being so much later.

The only think hurting Ryan is the fact that his baseball playing days stretched into the overproduction era. If he were a bit more reasonable of a player to collect, I think more people would follow him. I think Mantle will be one of the last really collected players.