Super high end Mantle cards

[Snapolit1]

Great post. Totally agree. Popularity is often fickle and downright irrational. I could walk down Fifth Avenue today and find 100 woman I think are more beautiful than Kim Kardashian.

It's interesting to me that Mantle and Jordan were similar dudes in a lot of ways. Sort of aloof, enigmatic, didn't say that much, sometimes even surly to reporters and fans. Not saying bad guys, but both (like Derek Jeter) revealed very little of themselves to the outside world. Maybe when that's your M.O. it's easier for people to project on to you and make you larger than life.

Originally Posted by raulus

Sometimes these things are driven by fundamentals, and sometimes they take on a life of their own, like the Kardashians who are largely famous for being famous. And I suppose sometimes it’s a combo, where it might start with fundamentals, and then takes off due to popularity and resonance in the popular imagination.

Much as it pains me to admit it as a proud Italian, the Mona Lisa is really only popular today because she was the Kardashian of last century. Stolen, widely publicized in an attempt to recover the piece, talked about all over the world, eventually recovered. Without that notoriety, she would have remained an obscure small piece by a master. Still a great work of art, yet nowhere close to the level of value it has today, because today she’s known all over the world by just about everyone.

I would draw parallels to Mantle cards. Definitely a great player and generational talent, but the price of his pieces is so high simply because everyone knows and wants them. The strong premium for his stuff relative to his contemporaries who were just as good (or better) on the field defies logic. But that’s because it’s simply a question of better marketing and popularity. And that all starts with the 311, and further burnished by all of the popularity enhancers mentioned above by others.

There’s certainly room to debate how enduring that popularity will be over the next 50-100 years. But it’s proven remarkably durable so far, and shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Great post. Totally agree. Popularity is often fickle and downright irrational. I could walk down Fifth Avenue today and find 100 woman I think are more beautiful than Kim Kardashian.

It's interesting to me that Mantle and Jordan were similar dudes in a lot of ways. Sort of aloof, enigmatic, didn't say that much, sometimes even surly to reporters and fans. Not saying bad guys, but both (like Derek Jeter) revealed very little of themselves to the outside world. Maybe when that's your M.O. it's easier for people to project on to you and make you larger than life.

Only 100?

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Only 100?

Kim doesn't much for me. What can I say. I'll take Brady's ex-wife.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Kim doesn't much for me. What can I say. I'll take Brady's ex-wife.

She's quite tall almost 6 feet.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Great post. Totally agree. Popularity is often fickle and downright irrational. I could walk down Fifth Avenue today and find 100 woman I think are more beautiful than Kim Kardashian.

It's interesting to me that Mantle and Jordan were similar dudes in a lot of ways. Sort of aloof, enigmatic, didn't say that much, sometimes even surly to reporters and fans. Not saying bad guys, but both (like Derek Jeter) revealed very little of themselves to the outside world. Maybe when that's your M.O. it's easier for people to project on to you and make you larger than life.

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Only 100?

It's been raining today!

[brooklynbotter]

Most people I know in modern cards (Late teens/early 20s) view Mantle's as the vintage cards to get. They won't dabble in anything else, but either have or want to buy a Mantle as a "flex." Like everyone has been saying, mantle has allure in the collecting world that I doubt goes away even with a generation that hasn't seen him play.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by brooklynbotter

Most people I know in modern cards (Late teens/early 20s) view Mantle's as the vintage cards to get. They won't dabble in anything else, but either have or want to buy a Mantle as a "flex." Like everyone has been saying, mantle has allure in the collecting world that I doubt goes away even with a generation that hasn't seen him play.

Like most luxury goods for rich people who aren't otherwise hard core collectors, buying highly graded Mantle cards can be a status symbol. Obviously for those of us who are hard core collectors, it has a very different meaning.

[ClementeFanOh]

I've now seen multiple recent threads touching on this very topic. I feel
fairly objective here because I don't care for the Yankees as a fan or as a
collecting focus.

The original post seems focused on Mantle card values, not his position on
baseball's Mount Rushmore. Again, this question comes across negatively, as
if his high values are somehow a bad thing. I don't understand the
skeptical/unhappy/whatever term you want to use approach. Mantle's cards
have been "A+" list for decades, and there's no sign of that changing.

Trent King

[gonefishin]

There was one Elvis Presley, one Steve McQueen, one Ronald Reagon, and by the grace of God - one Mickey Mantle!

[Yoda]

One of the many alluring characteristics to some collections was Mickey's alcoholism, a fatal flaw that made him seem just human. His liver transplant was front page sports news. Think of the numbers he could have put up if no injuries or problems with the bottle.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

It's interesting to me that Mantle and Jordan were similar dudes in a lot of ways. Sort of aloof, enigmatic, didn't say that much, sometimes even surly to reporters and fans.

Mantle and Jordan's championship greatness (at least the part from how they elevated their teammates) led to similar results But the path there was much different.

Mick's teammates seemed to genuinely like him. They appeared to love playing the game with him and made it a matter of competitive personal pride to try getting as close to his level as possible.

Jordan, on the other hand, was a total ass. He also got the most out of you, but that came from relentless preparation and (probably even moreso) from fear. You marched under his command, took his shit, and pushed your limits more than you ever thought possible, or you wondered if you'd be thoroughly embarrassed and then out of a job.

[talkinbaseball]

My dad took me to see the "Mick" in the middle '60's I could still hear the sound of the ball coming off his bat and It's 2023, "iconic", and the "say hey" kid was my favorite.
John

[Steve D]

Regarding the value difference between Mantle and Mays:

It was pointed out in a previous post, that Mantle seemed to have good luck in the art department with his cards...most of his cards portray him smiling, or just looking good; hell, he was a handsome dude.

Aaron too; most, if not all of his cards show him in a good mood, looking happy to be there.

Mays on the other hand, seems to be unhappy or brooding on most of his cards.

What would the difference be if Mays looked as good as Mantle on his cards?

Steve

[brunswickreeves]

By comparison for some key cards Mick & Mays shared in the 50s:
51B-Mick & Mays both batting stoic
52T-Both portrait stoic
52B-Both stoic
52B-Both stoic
53T-Both stoic
54B-Mick smiling Mays stoic
55B-Mick stoic Mays smiling
56T-Both portrait smiling
57T-Both batting stoic
58T-Both smiling
59T-Neither smiling

I surmise Mick’s higher card value has most to do with the sheer volume/demand of collectors vying for his cards, thus driving up prices. It would be interesting to see how many Mick cards are sold in a year vs. Mays and if there’s any correlation with higher pricing.

[gunboat82]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Regarding the value difference between Mantle and Mays:

It was pointed out in a previous post, that Mantle seemed to have good luck in the art department with his cards...most of his cards portray him smiling, or just looking good; hell, he was a handsome dude.

Aaron too; most, if not all of his cards show him in a good mood, looking happy to be there.

Mays on the other hand, seems to be unhappy or brooding on most of his cards.

What would the difference be if Mays looked as good as Mantle on his cards?

Steve

The subjective "mood" that a card brings is certainly a factor. I love the look of the 1953 Topps cards. The first three I chased were, in order, Paige, Robinson, and Mantle. When I tracked down the Mays, I didn't really feel any connection to it, even though the I like the pose. Mays' scowl reminds me of Jay-Z's serious face on the Hard Knock Life album cover. If he had been flashing the 1954-56 smile during those fake fielding drills, it would've been one of my favorite cards.

His 1952 Topps is an O.K. compromise between chaseability and aesthetics. He looks focused... maybe mildly constipated. But not pissed off at the world, the way he looks in the 1953 Topps set.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

The subjective "mood" that a card brings is certainly a factor. I love the look of the 1953 Topps cards. The first three I chased were, in order, Paige, Robinson, and Mantle. When I tracked down the Mays, I didn't really feel any connection to it, even though the I like the pose. Mays' scowl reminds me of Jay-Z's serious face on the Hard Knock Life album cover. If he had been flashing the 1954-56 smile during those fake fielding drills, it would've been one of my favorite cards.

His 1952 Topps is an O.K. compromise between chaseability and aesthetics. He looks focused... maybe mildly constipated. But not pissed off at the world, the way he looks in the 1953 Topps set.

If you went through some cards like this on YouTube, I'd watch it.

Agree on the 53 willie, but I do think it is very undervalued

1958 brooks Robinson? Lol

[puckpaul]

https://youtu.be/fVpKthuQCSc?si=NamBiTce17BDBN1z

Here, now you can show your great grandkids and they can say they saw Mantle play.

How many on this board have seen Ohtani play? Twelve Angels fans?

[campyfan39]

I was born in 1973 and when I got into the hobby (first packs were 78 topps) and as I was growing up, the 52 Mantle was THE card. It was seen as the holy grail to an entire additional generation. I didn't know anything about pre war cards until I saw an article on the Honus but by then I was well into my 30's. So the post war for me is still my main interest and he is the biggest name of that era; though my favorite player is Campanella and I am a Dodgers fan

[MantleMarisFordBerra]

These past couple posts about the overall mood pf Mantle vs. Mays brings another element up that has not been discussed yet: their personalities at card shows. When the hobby really exploded in the 80's, Mantle seemed friendly & good natured at autograph signings and Mays...well, he had a different reputation. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. It's not hard to imagine someone who looked up to Mays and then having a poor experience meeting him would be less likely to want to spend money continuing chasing his cards.

As far as Mantle pricing eventually tapering off, I've been online over 20 years and the concept of Mantle's cards cooling off gets brought up on various message boards & forums on a somewhat regular basis. I'm still waiting.

[Snapolit1]

Mantle may have been am amiable guy at card shows, but was also a surly drunk and perfectly obnoxious at times.

Originally Posted by MantleMarisFordBerra

These past couple posts about the overall mood pf Mantle vs. Mays brings another element up that has not been discussed yet: their personalities at card shows. When the hobby really exploded in the 80's, Mantle seemed friendly & good natured at autograph signings and Mays...well, he had a different reputation. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. It's not hard to imagine someone who looked up to Mays and then having a poor experience meeting him would be less likely to want to spend money continuing chasing his cards.

As far as Mantle pricing eventually tapering off, I've been online over 20 years and the concept of Mantle's cards cooling off gets brought up on various message boards & forums on a somewhat regular basis. I'm still waiting.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by MantleMarisFordBerra

These past couple posts about the overall mood pf Mantle vs. Mays brings another element up that has not been discussed yet: their personalities at card shows. When the hobby really exploded in the 80's, Mantle seemed friendly & good natured at autograph signings and Mays...well, he had a different reputation. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. It's not hard to imagine someone who looked up to Mays and then having a poor experience meeting him would be less likely to want to spend money continuing chasing his cards.

As far as Mantle pricing eventually tapering off, I've been online over 20 years and the concept of Mantle's cards cooling off gets brought up on various message boards & forums on a somewhat regular basis. I'm still waiting.

That wasn't my experience from getting autographs at card shows.

[Kingcobb]

I was born in the 60’s and remember watching Mantle in his final years 68 and 69 seems like he popped up and struck out a lot. But occasionally he would hit a home run and it would be like nothing else I think it brought back memories of his greatness in the 50’s and early 60’s and my Dad and Uncle would go crazy as well as the fans on TV. Those great memories had me wanting all the Mantle cards when I joined the work force. I think that’s what’s going on with his cards it just brings back great memories.