1952 Topps Mantle; Worth It In Any Condition?

[HRBAKER]

Don't disagree with your assessment, there is going to always need to be a group of people "who have to have one AND don't care how it looks" for examples like the one above to continue to grow in value. It's a key card in the hobby no doubt, there are a great number of collectors like myself who could buy one but have no real desire to own it though. Hopefully that sounds less supercilious to you.

[Republicaninmass]

"Worth it in any condition?"


Not to me.

Low grade with nice eye appeal will always be worth more than the same grade with less eye appeal. I'd hate to think anyone is spending their rent or 401k money on these low grade copies at, what is currently, the top of the market.

[Exhibitman]

Matt, I don't think it is an issue of disparaging a marquee card, putting down someone else's spending choices, etc., and I understand that rare may equate to obscure and that high demand may equate to a high price. And I am by no means a condition bug. I really don't care about card condition...to a point. Most of my 'big' cards are lower grades; heck, I won this in the Sterling auction:



My question/observation is that the 1952 Mantle seems to have reached a point where simply having one is more important to some collectors than how it actually looks. The card in question is FUGLY--what we'd all call a filler for any other card--but still pulled in over $3800? I find that incredible for a postwar mainstream issue with thousands of known examples.

[MattyC]

Adam, well stated and I can't disagree that such a sum for such a card is really wild and eye catching.

Jack, all good, brother; my poor balls get so busted by work that getting them busted here is a joy and escape in comparison! Just talking cards in any capacity is pleasant on certain days.

[HappyJack41]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Jack, all good, brother; my poor balls get so busted by work that getting them busted here is a joy and escape in comparison! Just talking cards in any capacity is pleasant on certain days.

Yeah but at the end of each day you get to watch that beautiful sunset rest over the Pacific as that cool California breeze blissfully blows around you.......you're still the big winner vs. those whose nose hairs are frozen the moment they walk outside lol.

[MattyC]

Amen to that. You just inspired me to shut work down for the day and go jog on the beach. Then I will play even more hookey by blasting some college and high school punks in Call Of Duty.

[HappyJack41]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Amen to that. You just inspired me to shut work down for the day and go jog on the beach. Then I will play even more hookey by blasting some college and high school punks in Call Of Duty.

I wish I was your neighbor......I'd already be over hanging out lol