311 Mantle - which would you rather have?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Based strictly on the fronts, I agree with Pete on the left/top one being nicer due to the lack of tilt, however, that card also has a noticeable red ink smudge/over printing and maybe a speck of paperloss (I can't tell for sure from the scan) on the back.

Interesting note about the differences in the backs. I must have missed it!

But here they are, since inquiring minds need to know. Ordering here is the same as in the original post.

[darwinbulldog]

I prefer the second one but only because the Type I/Type II differences impact the eye appeal more for me than the minor condition differences, but I would say the first one is in slightly better condition.

[rand1com]

Bottom card is nicer IMO even with the slight tilt. Just presents better overall to me. But there is not a million and a half dollars difference IMO either. First card will go way over $400K.

[tiger8mush]

maybe it's an optical illusion but with the two back photos next to each other, the one on the right appears shorter top to bottom than the one on the left.

[G1911]

Top. Bottom one makes Mantle look too red.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

Top. Bottom one makes Mantle look too red.

Assuming the scans are at the same settings then yes the bottom one has sort of an orange hue. I don't think that's common to the variation but maybe. Not a huge deal for me.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Assuming the scans are at the same settings then yes the bottom one has sort of an orange hue. I don't think that's common to the variation but maybe. Not a huge deal for me.

The hue's aren't type related, just the variance in ink in the well and how an exact sheet was run. Topps varied from slightly blue tint to red-looking tints all the way into the 70's. The top one just looks closer to 'correct'.

To me, proper coloring and toning makes a bigger aesthetic difference than how sharp a corner is. The one set I've built to a condition standard, I often pick a lower grade copy as my example for the coloring over a corner difference.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

maybe it's an optical illusion but with the two back photos next to each other, the one on the right appears shorter top to bottom than the one on the left.

I noticed that too, which confused me a bit. I wonder if the back printing area was slightly different between Type 1 and Type 2?

[G1911]

The Red line above "Major and minor league batting records..." is printed shorter on the top example.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by G1911

The Red line above "Major and minor league batting records..." is printed shorter on the top example.

I think the big red box at the top of the back is what is throwing me off.

And I think you're right that the red box is shorter on one version than on the other as well.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by raulus

I noticed that too, which confused me a bit. I wonder if the back printing area was slightly different between Type 1 and Type 2?

Yes, there's a bunch of tiny differences in both black and red.

[Johnny630]

Strictly off these two 1952 Topps Mickey Mantles, it’s Type II top version for me, hands down.