1952 Topps Mantle vs T206 Wagner

[sb1]

Having had both, the Wagner is a fugly card, always reminded me of Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman, the Mantle is a work of art...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by sb1

Having had both, the Wagner is a fugly card, always reminded me of Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman, the Mantle is a work of art...

Funny, I have the opposite take, that the Wagner is a fabulous image that captures his likeness and character perfectly, whereas the Mantle is a poor rendition of the photo on which it is based, and in the translation lost much of its resemblance to him. If you think it looks like him it's only because you're so used to it. It still is what it is, a top two iconic card, but with an asterisk IMO.

[Fred]

I'm definitely into prewar vintage more than post war cards. However, when I see that Wags, it's just so "off". I picked the 52T PSA8 Mantle because at least it's iconic and in really nice shape.

If it were a Wags in a "2"grade (complete card with a few small issues), then I'd take that over a PSA9 52T Mantle. I'm going to guess a PSA 9 Mantle would probably be valued higher, but having a whole Wags would be like reaching a collecting dream. Someone mentioned "restoring" that cut down Wags. I'd accept something like that instead of the PSA 8 Mantle because the most important parts of the card are "real".

[Rich Falvo]

I'd pick a complete Wagner over the Mantle, but I'd pick a PSA 8 Mantle over a trimmed Wagner w/o borders.

[babraham]

Originally Posted by Rich Falvo

I'd pick a complete Wagner over the Mantle, but I'd pick a PSA 8 Mantle over a trimmed Wagner w/o borders.

That's what I'm thinking as well.

[brianp-beme]

I'm not sure why, but I believe that this T206 Wagner would feel right at home in my collection, while a 1952 Topps Mantle PSA 8 would feel out of place, like the fat new kid on the block.

Brian (I voted for the Wagner. Just making sure we are all on the same page)

[benjulmag]

What I take from this is that is that when a mutilated version of one of the cards is giving a pristine example of the other a run for its money in terms in terms of which is the more desirable to own, that speaks volumes about which card the hobby regards as the more iconic.

[LEHR]

The Wagner, all day, every day.

[JackR]

The Mantle. Not close. For me, the question is which card makes you feel better when you look at it? The Mantle is pure sweetness. The Wagner is a bummer.

[jchcollins]

The Mantle, and wouldn't have to think about it. Just due to the way my collecting has evolved since the late 1980's, I've always been at least 90% a postwar vintage guy anyway. From the time I was old enough to know what old cards even were, it has been drummed into my head that the '52 #311 is "the" card.

[steve B]

I would go with the Wagner. It was one of the first cards I heard of that was worth anything, via the buy ad in I think sporting news or baseball digest.
And it was always one of those unobtainable things.

The Mantle was expensive but would have been possible in a reasonable grade when I really began collecting older stuff. It hurts a bit to type that but it's just how it is.

[Snowman]

Mantle for me. Eye-appeal matters more long term. Then I'd trade it in for a lower grade Mantle with better centering

[oldjudge]

I don’t like trimmed card, especially badly trimmed cards. Having said that, the Mantle is very off center for an 8. I guess if there was door number three I would go with that, but with only two choices I’ll take the Mantle.

[Popcorn]

love the 52 MM but it’s wagner. it’s a small fraternity that owns one and most of us ain’t in it.

[bnorth]

You can always cut the borders off another T206 and glue them to the Wagner. I heard someone done it to a Ted Williams rookie.

[bbcard1]

You can get a 1952 Topps Mantle any day of the year. It just takes a lot of money. I don't think you can say the same about a Wagner.

[brunswickreeves]

Either card would be a dream to own and for those whom do or have owned them, I'm sure they're incredibly special, and each have their deserving merits.

If this PSA 8 Mantle (which has a tilt with right boarder smaller at top progressing to wider right boarder at bottom), the Wags.

Looking out 100+ years from now, the span of time between these card's dates of issuance will grow more narrow. However, scarcity and availability will likely change in Wag's favor, as more Mick's are slabbed when this collecting generation dies off and more raw versions are unearthed and sent in for grading/sale.

IMHO, T206 Wags is the Mona Lisa of baseball cards and genesis of rare/expensive.