Does anyone actually like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle?

[ALR-bishop]

It’s ok Justin. I am used to getting picked on. Bob does it all the time. 🥹

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

It’s ok Justin. I am used to getting picked on. Bob does it all the time. 🥹

I believe it, lol. You two are certainly peas in a pod.

[Exhibitman]

This thread needs an image:



Lemme take a slightly different approach to start and evaluate the card from an aesthetic standpoint.

On the positive side:
--It's large
--Has a nice team logo
--Has a facsimile autograph
--Has clean uncluttered graphics (I hate cards where all the exploding crap all over the borders intrudes into the card image).
--has borders (not a fan of full bleed)
--Has a nice blue background that trends towards aqua (admittedly, I am biased since blue is my favorite color) and has a pop-art feel to it
--looks like Mantle (I know this is a subject of debate but absent a caption I would know it is him, so it passes muster with me)
--Flexichrome (I happen to like them)
--Stats on the back for the past year and lifetime
--Vitals on the back
--A nice write-up courtesy of Mr. Berger

On the negative side:
--The yellow bat color is odd
--The foreshortening needed to render the face accurately lacks the sharp lines differentiating the jaw. Would I have preferred a nice 3/4 portrait? Sure.

Aesthetically, overall, I find it to be a pleasing rendering and card. Not as nice as the 1954 Topps set that I have always preferred, but better than average design for the era.

Now, let's talk reality on the iconic nature of the card. This has been THE postwar card since I was a kid collector in the late 1970s. That's a 40+ year run. Unless there is a realignment of collectors that I simply do not see happening in my lifetime, this card is going to remain THE postwar card. Newbie collectors and even non-collectors are geeked on this card. That doesn't happen with more than a handful of cards.

Now, the Dread Pirate Roberts--investor--view. The 1952 Mantle has been on a steady growth trend for decades. Look at the components of the DJIA in 1980 and compare them to what makes up the average now. Lots of dead or deleted companies. I am not worried that the Mantle will be worthless in 20 years. I am worried that I will be priced out of owning one in the next few years.