What Would You Rather Have Mantle or Mantles?

[Gorditadogg]

Good question, and there are several ways to look at it.

1. As a collector, would you rather spread your budget around on a lot of cards, or do you like to concentrate on just a few gems?

2. As a Mantle collector, do you like the 52 Topps #311? Have you always wanted to own one?

3. From an investment standpoint, is there a difference where you put your "Mantle money"?

The first two questions depend on individual preferences. As to the last question, my take on it is that it doesn't matter too much. As I have looked at prices over the years, and tracked the values of my own Mantle collection, I think that Mantle cards all move together.

There are differences in each individual card of course, but I think a lot of that is due to small sample size and differences in eye appeal across a grade. For example, 10 years ago you could have bought a 52T #311 PSA 5 for $15,000. That card now is worth $100,000 or so. But you also could have bought two 56T #135 Gray Backs in PSA 9 for $15,000, and today those cards are worth well over $100,000 each!

You can look at other individual Mantle cards and see how they match up with the 52T. Some have done better, some worse.

I think overall PSA 9's have done better than lower grades, but other than that I don't see much in terms of differences in appreciation from one card to the other. Bowmans or Topps, 1950's or 1960's, base card or AS/MVP, $100 card or $100,000 card, none of it has mattered. All Mantles have moved up together.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Good question, and there are several ways to look at it.

1. As a collector, would you rather spread your budget around on a lot of cards, or do you like to concentrate on just a few gems?

2. As a Mantle collector, do you like the 52 Topps #311? Have you always wanted to own one?

3. From an investment standpoint, is there a difference where you put your "Mantle money"?

The first two questions depend on individual preferences. As to the last question, my take on it is that it doesn't matter too much. As I have looked at prices over the years, and tracked the values of my own Mantle collection, I think that Mantle cards all move together.

There are differences in each individual card of course, but I think a lot of that is due to small sample size and differences in eye appeal across a grade. For example, 10 years ago you could have bought a 52T #311 PSA 5 for $15,000. That card now is worth $100,000 or so. But you also could have bought two 56T #135 Gray Backs in PSA 9 for $15,000, and today those cards are worth well over $100,000 each!

You can look at other individual Mantle cards and see how they match up with the 52T. Some have done better, some worse.

I think overall PSA 9's have done better than lower grades, but other than that I don't see much in terms of differences in appreciation from one card to the other. Bowmans or Topps, 1950's or 1960's, base card or AS/MVP, $100 card or $100,000 card, none of it has mattered. All Mantles have moved up together.

Thanks Al, I appreciate your response as well sir!

I guess my thought/situation is. I have always dreamed of owning a 52 Topps type 1 Mantle. I've always bee a Exmnt-Nrnt+ Vintage Card Collector. There is nothing at all wrong with lower grade cards, it's just not my thing.

So here is what I'm considering do I sell all the beautiful PSA/SGC 7.5's and 8's I have to fund the purchase of a killer EXMT-NRMNT Graded Example of the type 1 52 Mantle? That's the only way I would be able to afford to buy a 52 Topps Mantle in the grade/condition I collect.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Thanks Al, I appreciate your response as well sir!

I guess my thought/situation is. I have always dreamed of owning a 52 Topps type 1 Mantle. I've always bee a Exmnt-Nrnt+ Vintage Card Collector. There is nothing at all wrong with lower grade cards, it's just not my thing.

So here is what I'm considering do I sell all the beautiful PSA/SGC 7.5's and 8's I have to fund the purchase of a killer EXMT-NRMNT Graded Example of the type 1 52 Mantle? That's the only way I would be able to afford to buy a 52 Topps Mantle in the grade/condition I collect.

I am the Less is more person. I am more inclined to downsize and get the 1 Great.
But Based on your love of Mantle and Your Current Collection. I would probably just sell some of the Mantles (can buy them hopefully in the future since individually they are all less then the 52 Mantle) and buy a 52 Mantle in a lover Grade perhaps a nice 5 to 6 and then have a great looking mantle to go with some of your other nice cards.

But either way cannot go wrong with either choice. Great Cards for the now and the future

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am the Less is more person. I am more inclined to downsize and get the 1 Great.
But Based on your love of Mantle and Your Current Collection. I would probably just sell some of the Mantles (can buy them hopefully in the future since individually they are all less then the 52 Mantle) and buy a 52 Mantle in a lover Grade perhaps a nice 5 to 6 and then have a great looking mantle to go with some of your other nice cards.

But either way cannot go wrong with either choice. Great Cards for the now and the future

Ahhh Jeff it's just so hard for me !!!! I might sell my Killer 55 SGC 7 Clemente as a start to put some money away...it's just difficult for me to sell the Mantles from over the years....IDK it's a good problem to have I guess, well no I know it is. I'm just thankful for the good smart people on this board that have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and love of the cards that I do.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Ahhh Jeff it's just so hard for me !!!! I might sell my Killer 55 SGC 7 Clemente as a start to put some money away...it's just difficult for me to sell the Mantles from over the years....IDK it's a good problem to have I guess, well no I know it is. I'm just thankful for the good smart people on this board that have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and love of the cards that I do.

Hi

I agree and never said it was easy. and only going on the question as you put it. Knowing your love of your collection I was trying to find a middle ground so you would not have to part with all the Mantles you Love for the 1 Ultimate prize you want so much.

As collectors we all have the love/attachment for our cards. For most of us it is not an investment but a passion of the collection. Many times I have wanted certain cards and either I would have had to trade or sell certain cards to get it. AND for me I have not made any of those trades or sales yet so sadly I missed out on some (to me ) amazing cards.

But There are a Few "Bucket List/Wish Cards" that if they became available then I would probably jump at them even if I had to trade/sell most of my collection.

So you need to decide in the simplest terms do you want that 52 Mantle more then all the other Mantles. If so pull the trigger before your Dream Mantle is gone or if the market keeps going sideways you may potentially be priced out of it and would have to sell more of your collection beyond the Mantles

[Vegas Cards]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Ahhh Jeff it's just so hard for me !!!! I might sell my Killer 55 SGC 7 Clemente as a start to put some money away...it's just difficult for me to sell the Mantles from over the years....IDK it's a good problem to have I guess, well no I know it is. I'm just thankful for the good smart people on this board that have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and love of the cards that I do.

Be really careful here. Many of us have sold cards to raise cash to buy another, and then been frustrated to no end as the market for the targeted card moved higher.

You might sell to raise cash and then it might take months or even longer to identify the right '52, and it's price might well be on the rise the whole time you're in cash looking.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Vegas Cards

Be really careful here. Many of us have sold cards to raise cash to buy another, and then been frustrated to no end as the market for the targeted card moved higher.

You might sell to raise cash and then it might take months or even longer to identify the right '52, and it's price might well be on the rise the whole time you're in cash looking.

Well put Vegas I agree with you, def been thinking about that issue.

[irv]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

i once owned every year and oddball issues from the 50-60's.
I sold them off to buy my 52.
Then i enventually got the 51.
So, from a investment situation- i'd pick the 52 all the way.
As a collector, I always loved the 51, 53, 56. Beautiful cards no doubt.

Same here.
They would have to be exceptional copies for me to ever get rid of my 52 Mantle even in the shape it is in.