Help with this 52 Topps Mantle

[Leon]

Could be real with a hidden alteration such as coloring etc.....which could be why it's not in a holder. Caveat emptor. Maybe buy with the guarantee of it being unaltered according to the opinionators.

[Rhotchkiss]

Jamie, not that TPGs are always right, but I, personally, would never buy a card of this magnitude, especially if it’s outside my comfort (I.e., t206 for you), that wasn’t in an SGC or PSA flip. As we all know, hazing it in the flip is no guaranty, but it does provide a level of comfort that I would need.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I also like the wear as someone stated above and think it's legit, but Leon makes a very good point. Just because it may be authentic doesn't mean it's problem free. If it is real AND unaltered I think it's a "2." I would prefer to see it out of the screw down though.

[ALR-bishop]

Like Ted I have both versions with my set. One graded, one not. I was confident the ungraded version was good but because I have been a long time customer sent it to Levi Bleam to verify that

[x2drich2000]

Add me to the group that believes it to be real. Remember this is a card that there is no shortage of them in the hobby and outside of the hobby. There are plenty of people who have this card in their childhood collection and never bothered to keep up with the hobby trends of grading. However, I would also be cautious with it in that screw down. Definitely take it out before purchasing to make sure it is not affixed to the plastic. Who knows how long it has been in there. Also keep in mind, depending on how tight it is, the corners may have been compressed and consider how a TPG would look at it in that situation. I would also take a common 52 with you to compare the feel of the card. Actually touching the card will tell you a lot.

Edit to add: also keep in mind it hurts a lot less to walk away from a good deal you're unsure about than pay for a mistake.

[Yoda]

Perhaps sounds simplistic, but why not ask the owner why he never got the card graded?

[Blunder19]

the card has been in the family.. the guys father who is now in his 70s is the original owner.. and passed the card down to his son who is the one looking to sell his card.. its been with the family since taken out of the pack. (is what i am being told)

[packs]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

the card has been in the family.. the guys father who is now in his 70s is the original owner.. and passed the card down to his son who is the one looking to sell his card.. its been with the family since taken out of the pack. (is what i am being told)

That is the same story told by everyone though. It wouldn't inspire confidence in me. I've seen sale posts for Sinclair Oil Ruth baseballs that the person insists were gathered in person by a grandfather.

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

the card has been in the family.. the guys father who is now in his 70s is the original owner.. and passed the card down to his son who is the one looking to sell his card.. its been with the family since taken out of the pack. (is what i am being told)

That would mean he was born after 1940 for a 1952 card....so if he is less than 80 he was under 12 when he obtained it according to the math... looks good though...

[cammb]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

the card has been in the family.. the guys father who is now in his 70s is the original owner.. and passed the card down to his son who is the one looking to sell his card.. its been with the family since taken out of the pack. (is what i am being told)

Taken out of the pack in THAT condition?

[Directly]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

the card has been in the family.. the guys father who is now in his 70s is the original owner.. and passed the card down to his son who is the one looking to sell his card.. its been with the family since taken out of the pack. (is what i am being told)

I would ask to see his other high numbers from the pack. if they kept the Mantle he surely kept the the other high numbers and probably bought more than one 1952 Topps high number pack?--just my thought.

[chalupacollects]

You should also sniff it to see if it smells like old cardboard and bring another 52 with you sit them side by side to check thickness (from being in screwdown.)

May not have been graded as it looks like a thumbtack hole in upper left.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Add me to the group that believes it to be real. Remember this is a card that there is no shortage of them in the hobby and outside of the hobby. There are plenty of people who have this card in their childhood collection and never bothered to keep up with the hobby trends of grading. However, I would also be cautious with it in that screw down. Definitely take it out before purchasing to make sure it is not affixed to the plastic. Who knows how long it has been in there. Also keep in mind, depending on how tight it is, the corners may have been compressed and consider how a TPG would look at it in that situation. I would also take a common 52 with you to compare the feel of the card. Actually touching the card will tell you a lot.

Edit to add: also keep in mind it hurts a lot less to walk away from a good deal you're unsure about than pay for a mistake.

All of these are also reasons that drive the value of the card down. So if you see them, take note. Then make your offer accordingly.

What Leon said above is true. Look for possible alterations.

Good luck!

[1952boyntoncollector]

if he is asking a too good to be true price..then you know the rest

[RCMcKenzie]

I see aged reprints like this one in the link below on eBay all the time. I wouldn't buy a raw 52 Mantle from someone I didn't know. Just my .02.

www.ebay.com/itm/313009361036