What did everyone think about Memory Lane’s strong Mickey Mantle on card autograph s

[Golfpro10]

Originally Posted by Snowman

If you're asking whether or not now is a good time to sell your signed Mantles too, the answer is yes.

I personally have zero intention of selling any of my signed vintage for a long while. I love the rarity aspect of it and that in most cases the autographed pop count is less then 1% of the actual total pop. I was just curious what people thought of the strong auction in an overall slower card market environment. I have spoken to a lot of people who still are not convinced of vintage auto’s and I just wanted to pick people’s brains on their overall opinion on the autograph vintage market in general.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Prices are ridiculous and not in line with logic.

[Golfpro10]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Prices are ridiculous and not in line with logic.

Interesting. Thanks for commenting. All thoughts are welcome on the topic. I love hearing everyones thoughts because this is a topic there will probably be some disagreement on. Thanks Billy.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Mantle autographed cards are not among the hobby's ultimate rarities. Some are more uncommon than others, and yes, they're exponentially more difficult to procure than their unsigned counterparts. In demand? That's always been evident, and that popularity is clearly surging.

Most signed Mantle cards were autographed during the card show era, so you're usually going to find gorogeous, bold Sharpie autographs with Mantle's eye to perfect signature placement. Therefore, the main variable in prices is simply conditions of the cards themsevles.

The JD McCarthy PC seemed to unfairly benefit from being included among the signed cards. It's not a card, it's a PC. $7500?! Yes, a nice, period autograph, but $7500... I'm guessing that was at most a $1200 piece not too long ago with a far smaller circle of interested buyers. I will be very interested to see what this one sells for the next time it hits the auction block.

[sportscardpete]

The owner had incredible attention to detail. I imagine each year's version was at or near the top in terms of eye appeal.

[Snapolit1]

Seems like the nature of this hobby is that there always has to be one area running batshit crazy at any given time.

Didn't Mickey Mantle appear at card shows for many years? Seems weird these would be running insane, though agree with an earlier post that a well signed copy in great condition is probably pretty rare. Most were probably not taken care of well (by hobby standards).

[Seven]

Mantle is quite simply, in his own category of the post war Hobby. I don't think we can look at his prices and compare them to everyone else. Outside of "investors" we also have to realize that the people that idolized Mantle as a child, are all in their 60's and 70's at this point, and most likely have a good amount of disposable income to shell out on his signed cards. Or really anything related to them.

Do I find the prices a little ridiculous? Of course. However signed cards back when Mantle was touring the show circuit, we're not nearly as common place as now. Many collectors viewed a player signing a card as sacrilege, and people thought the signed cards were less valuable then their unsigned counterparts.

I'd have less of an issue with the pricing on his early issues, if they were signed in his playing days signature, in pen. I honestly can't stand the way a thick sharpie looks on vintage cardstock.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Seems like the nature of this hobby is that there always has to be one area running batshit crazy at any given time.

Didn't Mickey Mantle appear at card shows for many years? Seems weird these would be running insane, though agree with an earlier post that a well signed copy in great condition is probably pretty rare. Most were probably not taken care of well (by hobby standards).

Agree with the majority here.

Mantle is a weird auto and in line with Ruth in its unconventional value when compared to supply. Mantle and Ruth signed so much crap that it would be impossible to not find a few hundred items for sale at any time in less than an hour. However they defy the logic on pricing.

The reason I think these were more outside the box was card condition. If you were collecting in the 80s, the value of a card was brought down by a signature. This is why most examples are on poorly centered or condition cards. People had their beaters signed and the good cards in the binder.

So I agree, these are complete outliers on the condition and thus hens teeth for autograph examples.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Mantle autographed cards are not among the hobby's ultimate rarities. Some are more uncommon than others, and yes, they're exponentially more difficult to procure than their unsigned counterparts. In demand? That's always been evident, and that popularity is clearly surging.

Mantle autographs are not as common as Bob Feller autographs, but they are plentiful. If the demand increases, I'm sure someone will look at it as an opportunity to increase the existing supply (snicker, snicker).

I've got a few Mantle signatures from the late 80s, early 90s show circuit. But I'm of the opinion that if I submitted them for "authentication" they'd come back as forged (which I know they're not).

As for the price of the autographs, I was a bit surprised, but as someone mentioned, Mantle seems to be a collecting category independent of other players of that era.

I'd rather spend that type of money on locating an Urban Shocker signature than on a Mantle (which is abundantly available when compared to other signatures).

This market is just crazy.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Fred

I'd rather spend that type of money on locating an Urban Shocker signature than on a Mantle (which is abundantly available when compared to other signatures).

There’s a really nice one coming to auction…

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...50068-235003.s

[T206Collector]

Love signed cards and have been collecting prewar ones for 20 years. T201s in particular look so much better with a signature!

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

There’s a really nice one coming to auction…

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...50068-235003.s

Here is a copy I picked up with Giard.

IMG_5640.jpg