Put all your eggs in one basket. 52 Mantle or ..........

[Exhibitman]

It's a really interesting love-hate dynamic with the Mantle. As many people think it's ugly, overvalued, etc., as those who say it is the last card they'd ever part with. I wonder what the Venn Diagram of that would look like. Are there 1952 T Mantle owners who are also 1952 T Mantle haters?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

It's a really interesting love-hate dynamic with the Mantle. As many people think it's ugly, overvalued, etc., as those who say it is the last card they'd ever part with. I wonder what the Venn Diagram of that would look like. Are there 1952 T Mantle owners who are also 1952 T Mantle haters?

Not sure if this qualifies, but I don't love the card aesthetically, it's a rather poor rendition of the photo it's copying, to the point it doesn't really look like Mantle very much. And the high number mantra for scarcity is somewhat offset by it being a double print. I do like the colors. The iconic status is beyond attack though.

[Snowman]

Definitely the Mantle. But I wouldn't just get the highest grade you can buy. That strategy would probably result in you getting one that is severely off-centered. I would go after the nicest looking Mantle you can afford, regardless of the grade. Eye appeal is everything. It is the ocean front property of this hobby. The gap in pricing between centered and off-centered cards is diverging faster and faster seemingly every month. I'd much rather have a 3 with strong eye appeal than a 4, 5 or even a 6 that is off-centered.

[Republicaninmass]

Signed 52 mantle, nothing comes even close!

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Definitely the Mantle. But I wouldn't just get the highest grade you can buy. That strategy would probably result in you getting one that is severely off-centered. I would go after the nicest looking Mantle you can afford, regardless of the grade. Eye appeal is everything. It is the ocean front property of this hobby. The gap in pricing between centered and off-centered cards is diverging faster and faster seemingly every month. I'd much rather have a 3 with strong eye appeal than a 4, 5 or even a 6 that is off-centered.

This is spot on. The premium for exceptional and rare eye appeal for many popular cards has been growing and growing. Bottom line: there are everyday examples of certain cards, and then there are the pretty ones, ones that are centered, boldly colored, focused, etc. We've all seen PSA 3s outsell 6s, 4s outsell 5s, the list goes on. Buying the prettiest card, not the highest sticker grade, is the move now and forever.

[Rare Stuff]

Originally Posted by MattyC

This is spot on. The premium for exceptional and rare eye appeal for many popular cards has been growing and growing. Bottom line: there are everyday examples of certain cards, and then there are the pretty ones, ones that are centered, boldly colored, focused, etc. We've all seen PSA 3s outsell 6s, 4s outsell 5s, the list goes on. Buying the prettiest card, not the highest sticker grade, is the move now and forever.

Buy the card not the grade, like this one.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ef_1ZyPVvG8&feature=share