When it comes to Mantle, is it better...

[jason.1969]

Each to his own, my friend. Personally I'd favor having several PSA 2 cards that present well for the grade over 1-2 nicer cards. Still, I know other collectors whose stomachs would turn looking at much of my collection.

Now from an investment standpoint I'd presume high grade wins, but I'm talking mainly PC here.

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[Sportscards1086]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

Each to his own, my friend. Personally I'd favor having several PSA 2 cards that present well for the grade over 1-2 nicer cards. Still, I know other collectors whose stomachs would turn looking at much of my collection.

Now from an investment standpoint I'd presume high grade wins, but I'm talking mainly PC here.

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Or maybe one or two nice mid grades sprinkled in with some lower graded stuff. I can do that I think lol.

[Bestdj777]

I went for quantity. I got the low grade but presentable examples of everything I could, with some ragged cards and some nicer samples here and there when nothing that met the above criteria was available. To each his own though.

This will come down to "personal preference". In my case, I struggle with star cards (Mantle, etc) in EX or below condition. If one of my star cards is below EX, I might as well not have it. However, I do not look critically at "OC". I have generally accepted OC as part of the reality in vintage cards. Creases are not acceptable and corner wear is the main focus for me.

There is no wrong approach so long as you get the degree of satisfaction you are seeking.

[swarmee]

I grew up in the 80s and 90s hearing the Mantle legends, so when I looked for something to focus on, I chose the PSA Mickey Mantle Master Set registry. In only a few years, I've now got about 150-175 different Mantle (and Yankee team) cards from his playing days (1951-69). Many you can buy for $20 each in VG, many are going to cost thousands.
But I'm having a lot of fun with it; got this banged up Bazooka this morning for $70:

1965 Topps Bazooka - [Base] #1 - Mickey Mantle [Poor]
Courtesy of COMC.com
Front is pretty clean (although cut poorly, common for the cards), but the back is destroyed. Will still get a PSA Authentic and go in the collection... ;-)

Adding a couple every month I enjoy more than saving $3,000 over the year and trying to buy one card at the end.

[brian1961]

Quantity versus quality will always be debatable. Either way has its benefits.
As several others have said, you are wise to decide what really makes you happy, given the budget you will be working with. As Jason wrote, finding cards and items that present well for the grade is sound wisdom.

There will often be collectors who find it useful to them, and their own self-centered ego, to criticize the way you collect, but with competition for Mickey Mantle cards being strong, and prices all over the spectrum, at least there seems to be a lot of Mantle to select from, and a price tag that is feasible.

It seems as though one cannot deliberate very long over a Mickey Mantle he wants, without someone else ready to rip it out of our clutches, and buy it before we can get it. Hang in there; again, there's a lot of period Mantle to choose from, and repeating myself again, buy Micks that you know you'll be happy with. You owe that to yourself as a hobbyist.

Here's a sincere wish for a happy hunting year! Take care. ---Brian Powell

[Promethius88]

I agree that it is all personal preference. I guess my philosophy is that the higher you go up with the price tag, the fewer who are going to be able to afford those, making the lower to mid grades a more solid purchase. With the "investor" side of high grade, that probably doesn't hold as much water as it used to. But also, as those higher graded cards get purchased and put back, collectors will have to start going down the quality ladder to get what is available.
Maybe start out with some lower grades then over time get some that are higher grades...selling out the lower grade to ease some of the pain of buying one a couple grades higher.
As you can see by the responses, personal preference varies and there is much to be said for each opinion. While i personally don't like oc cards, you can get some really nice ones for a fraction of the cost of their straight grade counterparts Personally I would rather have a centered card in a lower grade but seems like that is becoming more the norm causing prices to spike on the well centered stuff.
Best of luck in whatever road you choose and be sure to post pics!
Tim

[bswhiten]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

I went for quantity. I got the low grade but presentable examples of everything I could, with some ragged cards and some nicer samples here and there when nothing that met the above criteria was available. To each his own though.

+1
And I am doing mostly oddballs now since his base cards are so plentiful at mid grade. All Mantle's are awesome! Good luck!

Ben

[AGuinness]

I think that part of the benefit of collecting anything is the decision-making process, figuring out your priorities and adapting. Even if you're unsure of what you want (quantity vs. quality), dive in and see what happens. More than likely, you'll quickly find out if you made the choice that's right for you, and if not, adjust.

[jchcollins]

Totally your preference. Sometimes quantity is quality, and sometimes it's worth it to sacrifice to get that one really cherry card you've wanted for a long time. Difficult decision with Mantle more than most since in comparison to his comps, his dollar value in the vintage card game outshines everyone regardless and likely will for the foreseeable future.

My first Mantle base card (as a kid, I was about 11) was an absolutely destroyed, waterlogged 1965 Topps #350 that the kid down the street traded me. It was still in it's toploader and had been dropped in the toilet or in a lake or something, and literally still had water in it. If you had tried to take the card out, it would have disentigrated into a zillion pieces of mush.

The nicest Mantle I've ever had (that I really couldn't afford, which is why I don't have it still...) was probably a 1959 Topps #10 PSA 7.

Right now I make do with a lower grade but presentable '56 Topps that I've had since I was about 14, and a (nicer looking than the grade) PSA 5 '62 Topps #200...which you've seen, as I think we discussed over on the pickups thread. Your '61 is a very nice card!

[Sportscards1086]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Totally your preference. Sometimes quantity is quality, and sometimes it's worth it to sacrifice to get that one really cherry card you've wanted for a long time. Difficult decision with Mantle more than most since in comparison to his comps, his dollar value in the vintage card game outshines everyone regardless and likely will for the foreseeable future.

My first Mantle base card (as a kid, I was about 11) was an absolutely destroyed, waterlogged 1965 Topps #350 that the kid down the street traded me. It was still in it's toploader and had been dropped in the toilet or in a lake or something, and literally still had water in it. If you had tried to take the card out, it would have disentigrated into a zillion pieces of mush.

The nicest Mantle I've ever had (that I really couldn't afford, which is why I don't have it still...) was probably a 1959 Topps #10 PSA 7.

Right now I make do with a lower grade but presentable '56 Topps that I've had since I was about 14, and a (nicer looking than the grade) PSA 5 '62 Topps #200...which you've seen, as I think we discussed over on the pickups thread. Your '61 is a very nice card!

I have my eyes on a nice 1957 PSA 4 here in town for about 400. It's centered pretty well. If I end up pulling the trigger, I will post a pic.

The nicest one I've had was a 69 in BVG 8 and a Stand Up in a BVG 7


Post a pic of your 56 jchcollins!!

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

I think that part of the benefit of collecting anything is the decision-making process, figuring out your priorities and adapting. Even if you're unsure of what you want (quantity vs. quality), dive in and see what happens. More than likely, you'll quickly find out if you made the choice that's right for you, and if not, adjust.

Well said, sir!

[MarcosCards]

My comment to the OP is that you’ve received some excellent advice here. Also, you’ve presented photos of some wonderful Mantles in your collection!

By the way, I just noticed, for the first time, that in the photo on the ‘58 All Star card, Mickey’s uniform has a stain on the right knee. Very cool. If he really strode into a pitch when batting right handed, the violence of his swing would cause his knee to make contact with the dirt.