Another '52 Mantle found in Grandpa's attic
 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mickey-Mantl...item4d0205db33

This one would be so easy to shut down for the key word spamming alone.

Reported

"Grandpa" must have been a big fan of '52 Topps reprints back in the '50's.

Though to be fair, at least he's saying it could be a reprint. Of course it IS a reprint, and he surely knows it, so he's being misleading in that equivocation, but he's not wholly representing it as legit.

And really, I have less problem with this, because ANYONE who buys a '52 Mantle in this way, raw, uncertified, and without the chance to examine it up close, quite frankly deserves to lose their money. Because anyone who buys a raw '52 Mantle on ebay is an idiot.

The real serious problem now is cracked holders with bogus cards and legit IDs. Because some dealers and buyers alike are so blinded by the security of TPGs that they don't bother to examine the card. The fakes I've seen aren't even particularly good, but that doesn't stop them from selling.

Mantle Buyers
 

I think some of the buyers are not idiots and know exactly what they are doing...playing it forward

I have to wonder if there isn't a new aftermarket for '52 Topps fakes, in which a certain percentage of buyers and sellers know they are fakes, another segment suspects they are, and yet another has no clue. The top two are moving the fakes around with impugnity and preying on the bottom feeders.

Great theory Steve. It's kinda like the Yard Sale episode of Married with Children.

Al: "You see, yard sales are based on the "Bigger Idiot Theory". That there is nothing too stupid that some bigger idiot won't come along and buy it. The problem is that, eventually, you get to the head idiot and you call her "Mom".

Good one, Dave - the wit and wisdom of Al Bundy...not quite up to Ambrose Bierce, but close enough for hobby purposes.

I saw LOTS of Bricks today at Fenway Park. What in The Good Lord's name is a PLASTIC BRICK?:p:p