PSA 9 52 Topps Mantle sells for $5.2M

[Touch'EmAll]

The high price for this Mantle gives me reason to believe many other cards will/are also on their way up in price. As crazy as it is, this is a good thing is it not. Pretty sure we all like to have our cards appreciate. The downside is now I can't really afford what I used to collect. So I just sit tight with what I have, pick up an occasional nice card, and thank goodness I did buy what I have years ago.

[ruth-gehrig]

Is it out of the realm of possibilities that this was a staged event? That's the pessimist in me that just asked that

[packs]

The problem with this card is that it has two lives. There is the public life among outsiders who view this card as an iconic "grail" (which is a status I don't think many advanced collectors would agree with) and then there is the collector view who still see the card as iconic but also vastly over priced.

As Mantle-age fans exit the hobby there may be a reckoning ahead for the 52 Mantle.

If I didn't already have one I'd start making plans to buy the 51 Bowman instead. It is Mantle's actual rookie card and in my opinion a far superior image. The value seems stable as well or perhaps even primed to rise being it's an actual rookie card.

[Hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by packs

The problem with this card is that it has two lives. There is the public life among outsiders who view this card as an iconic "grail" (which is a status I don't think many advanced collectors would agree with) and then there is the collector view who still see the card as iconic but also vastly over priced.

As Mantle-age fans exit the hobby there may be a reckoning ahead for the 52 Mantle.

If I didn't already have one I'd start making plans to buy the 51 Bowman instead. It is Mantle's actual rookie card and in my opinion a far superior image. The value seems stable as well or perhaps even primed to rise being it's an actual rookie card.

What age would that be? If you were a kid and watched Mantles peak you are likely dead or in a nursing home.

The guy who bought this 9 surely never saw him play...I never saw him play yet it's my grail card.

I think it will forever be hobby iconic.

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[packs]

The guy who bought the card strikes me as the kind of guy who buys anything that's expensive to say he bought it. The hobby is not ripe with people like that.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Hxcmilkshake

What age would that be? If you were a kid and watched Mantles peak you are likely dead or in a nursing home.

The guy who bought this 9 surely never saw him play...I never saw him play yet it's my grail card.

I think it will forever be hobby iconic.

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Um my dad is 74 and far from dead or in need of a nursing home. He was a Dodger fan so he hated Mantle, but he's definitely of an age to remember Mantle's prime as a kid.

[packs]

The thing that never makes sense to me about this side of the board is that it can't imagine a version of the hobby where nobody cares about a 52 Mantle. And at the same time, it is baffled when someone spends millions on a Trout.

The hobby takes on a different passion for different people. If modern is the future and Trout is king, you have to consider that Mantle may not have as much cache among people who chase Trout, Jasson Dominguez, Fernando Tatis Jr. etc.

[Hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by packs

The thing that never makes sense to me about this side of the board is that it can't imagine a version of the hobby where nobody cares about a 52 Mantle. And at the same time, it is baffled when someone spends millions on a Trout.



The hobby takes on a different passion for different people. If modern is the future and Trout is king, you have to consider that Mantle may not have as much cache among people who chase Trout, Jasson Dominguez, Fernando Tatis Jr. etc.

I'm just baffled at the market--- tons of money on unproven guys....that's crazy to me. 5k for some Dominguez? Ok but I'll go get an early Mantle or 2.

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[Hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Um my dad is 74 and far from dead or in need of a nursing home. He was a Dodger fan so he hated Mantle, but he's definitely of an age to remember Mantle's prime as a kid.

Point is people always say "when so and so's fans die off the market for them will correct"

Almost never happens. Especially with the all time greats. That's why they are all time greats.

Its harder than ever to get into the market for these cards.

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[Natswin2019]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Um my dad is 74 and far from dead or in need of a nursing home. He was a Dodger fan so he hated Mantle, but he's definitely of an age to remember Mantle's prime as a kid.

Same thing here, my dad is only 59 and remembers watching Mantle in the second half/ end of his career as kid in the NYC area.

[irv]

Imagine how much attention this has brought to his clothing line/company name.
In very short order, if he hasn't already, he will make his money back in spades.

I also like what it has done for the hobby. Any exposure is good exposure, imo.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by packs

The problem with this card is that it has two lives. There is the public life among outsiders who view this card as an iconic "grail" (which is a status I don't think many advanced collectors would agree with) and then there is the collector view who still see the card as iconic but also vastly over priced.

As Mantle-age fans exit the hobby there may be a reckoning ahead for the 52 Mantle.

If I didn't already have one I'd start making plans to buy the 51 Bowman instead. It is Mantle's actual rookie card and in my opinion a far superior image. The value seems stable as well or perhaps even primed to rise being it's an actual rookie card.

I don't own but but I would consider it a grail card. Not a grail in terms of scarcity but in terms of demand. Considering how many there are (in all grades) I do feel it is overpriced but apparently not as it continues to go up at every grade. Quite confident most of the collectors/investors buying them the last 5 years likely never saw him take an at bat.

[packs]

But are they also collectors? The PSA 9 is going to have a small audience any time it comes up for sale. The guy who bought this card only came into cards in 2015 after he got rich. And he's only bought insanely expensive cards according to the articles I've read (PSA 10 Jordans, etc.).

I don't think you can discount the affect being a kid who loved Mantle has on the hobby. Mantle-mania will either be passed down or passed over. It's too soon to tell. And as more collections are made available by family members who inhereit them, the market is no doubt due to be flooded in time with a lot of cards that have been tucked away otherwise.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't think you can discount the affect being a kid who loved Mantle has on the hobby. Mantle-mania will either be passed down or passed over. It's too soon to tell.

I agree with an earlier sentiment that Mantle fever will continue. I started collecting in 1991. Mickey Mantle was still being covered by Beckett, even on the cover. I knew who Mantle was before I knew Ken Griffey Jr.

But I also agree aging collectors' collections will continue to enter the market. Some cards will cause demand to fall, but some will not. I foresee the supply of 52 Mantle always less than demand.

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[Seven]

Originally Posted by packs

The problem with this card is that it has two lives. There is the public life among outsiders who view this card as an iconic "grail" (which is a status I don't think many advanced collectors would agree with) and then there is the collector view who still see the card as iconic but also vastly over priced.

As Mantle-age fans exit the hobby there may be a reckoning ahead for the 52 Mantle.

If I didn't already have one I'd start making plans to buy the 51 Bowman instead. It is Mantle's actual rookie card and in my opinion a far superior image. The value seems stable as well or perhaps even primed to rise being it's an actual rookie card.

So I partially agree with this theory, in the sense that I think as the Mantle Age fans exit the hobby, more Mantle's,from all years, both raw and graded, will become available.

As the name and Icon obviously imply, Mantle is my main collecting draw. He was my Dad's favorite player. We started collecting together. I'm 26, Mantle died before I was born, but he's the reason I collect. Sure I've branched out to other Area's of vintage, but The Mick, is the main focus.

As it for being a "Grail" I think among the Post War section of the Hobby it would probably be, "The" Card to own. I do think it's a beautiful card but I would also agree that his 51 Bowman Issue is better.

Also his 52 Bowman Issue gets neglected by the guys that are dropping millions on his 52 Topps. I love his Bowman Issue from that year, and I look forward to owning one eventually.

[Jdoggs]

This $5.2 million sale for 52 topps mantle PSA 9 is great for the vintage market. Mantle and Ruth and other baseball legends should see their rookies and key cards escalate in price now.

[jfkheat]

Goldin Auctions has a PSA 8 listed now that is already at $555,000 with 15 days to go