1952 Topps Mantle; Worth It In Any Condition?

[tonyo]

I just bought one (not the one in the OP) and I'm still trying to come to grips with the amount I paid, but since it arrived I've been admiring it. Still sitting on my desk, in front of me as I type, yet to join it's eventual place amongst my topps/bowman hof base card run.

There IS an allure unexplainable for a non poet such as myself.


Tony

p.s. low grade but a nicely center example for MattyC's benefit

[jb67]

Looks like buyer remorse or just good old capitalism at work. Card is for sale again.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-M...item5419d52921

[Exhibitman]

Bought by a dealer to flip. Interesting to see if it goes.

[tonyo]

So much for the allure

[brob28]

Poor guy, seller is probably excited to see how many people are watching the card on Ebay, thinking they are potential bidders. My guess is many of them are those who have commented in or viewed this thread.

To the original point, I'm a more condition sensitive collector that would not purchase that card in that condition. However, I think there is a strong market for low condition iconic cards such as the Mantle simply due to the cost constraints. There are many collectors that want this card but do not have the means to purchase a nicer example hence a strong market for lower end cards. As for population, I believe there are a lot of '52 Mantles still ungraded in personal collections that will eventually be graded when the time comes to sell. Do those of you who follow this card see any signs of fluctuations in any particular condition ranges?

[pawpawdiv9]

Omg
The dude is trying to flip his 3,828.00 into 5k?? (he loses 500 on Ebays 10% fee, and then another 150 on paypal fees 3%)
In the end, pockets what is 4,350.
Defintely worth watching this and raising his views

[MattyC]

I thought ebay's cap was $250?

[7nohitter]

I could see myself putting down up to $1500 for that card, not $3800 and CERTAINLY not the 5K this new seller is trying to get.

I don't care about condition, as long as there is no paperloss or writing...eventually I would love to have this card, but I'll buy a Mathewson or Cobb T206 before I buy a '52 Mantle.

[HappyJack41]

Originally Posted by jb67

Looks like buyer remorse or just good old capitalism at work. Card is for sale again.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-M...item5419d52921

Oh that's rich. It was insane somebody even went $3800 for this condition.....at $5K you need to be checked into a hospital with padded walls

[AustinMike]

My opinion is that the '52 Mantle is vastly overpriced at this time and will suffer a precipitous drop in value (most likely a 90% drop) tomorrow. But, being the nice guy that I am, I will gladly pay 20% of the current value, thereby minimizing your loss.

PS The same goes for every early Mantle that I still need.

[CW]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

Some guys do it for the money, some do it for love of cardboard.

Well said, Chris, and very true. In fact, I have just quoted you ^^^ for truth.

Originally Posted by tonyo

I just bought one (not the one in the OP) and I'm still trying to come to grips with the amount I paid, but since it arrived I've been admiring it. Still sitting on my desk...

Nice! Congrats and feel free to post a scan or picture.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by CW

Nice! Congrats and feel free to post a scan or picture.

thanks! I'll post in the Feb pickups

[Exhibitman]

I was talking this over with some other members of the board at lunch Saturday and we all think this card is in a bubble given the demographic trend in the Hobby. With so many Boomer collectors reaching senior status in the next several years, the collecting base of the people who had the income to chase the low end Mantles and the nostalgia for the Mantle era is going to shrink, and grabbing a fugly version at any price may not be a good idea. And FWIW, losing your shirt on a card, which has happened to me a few times in the last year or two when I went to sell stuff I purchased in 07-08-09, sucks @$$.