Notoriously Tough PostWar HOFer Cards

[MattyC]

Love to discuss cards that are routinely tough to find with much eye appeal. Over the years I've found these to be very hard, based on who/what I collect. Will limit my list to 15...

1. 51 Mantle (so few offered with solid centering)
2. 52 Mantle (same; it seems the ones for sale in lower grade are all rough)
3. 57 Mantle (centering, centering, centering)
4. 1964 Pete Rose (print issues and centering)
5. 1976 Brett (centering, print smudges)
6. 1978 Eddie Murray (tilt, print issues, centering)
7. 1969 Ryan (always OC, many have broken border)
8. 1967 Carew (brutal centering is the norm on this one, too)
9. 1980 Bird Magic (the black line, the smudge in Magic panel, tilt)
10. 1978 Brett (print issues, broken border)
11. 1952 Berra
12. 1954 Mantle
13. 1958 Maris
14. 1968 Ryan (so tough to find one without print dots anywhere or tilt)
15. 1971 Munson (or I'd imagine any 1971 HOFer fits the bill)

[Bestdj777]

It seems like the 53 Topps Mantle is almost always horribly off center.

[MattyC]

I just finished my 50's Mantle run (I mean baseball cards are practically synonymous with Mantle!!!) and several were probably among the tougher post war cards to find with great centering. Especially when one considers how expensive Micks get with even a modicum of eye appeal. Sellers with a good one know they can ask high and eventually a collector who wants eye appeal and has scoured the globe for a good example. I just paid more than double VCP for my 57 because I needed one centered!

[savedfrommyspokes]

The 69 Brock has always been elusive for me in nice shape and centered.

[Republicaninmass]

The 52 Mathews, the sleeper of the set. Usually found L/R, mine a hint T/B

[CW]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The 52 Mathews, the sleeper of the set. Usually found L/R, mine a hint T/B

Nice '52 Mathews! Does not get much better than that!

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

It seems like the 53 Topps Mantle is almost always horribly off center.

Definitely. I'd also add the '53T Jackie Robinson to the list. Nicely centered examples are tough to come by.

You could also include any Wilson Franks or Dan Dee Potato Chips HOFer on the list.

This '53 Mick would probably be better graded as a "4.5" with these corners, but the centering was what grabbed my attention...

[the 'stache]

1977 Topps Robin Yount is a major pain in the rear to get in high condition. Only 34 of the 397 that have been submitted to PSA grade at a 9, and only 1 10. All sorts of centering/tilting issues with this card. And trying to find one with a nice white, clean surface AND centering? Good luck.

[Volod]

I know - it's impossible, so should not be mentioned, but someone has one out there, so if we're talking really tough to find postwar HOF'er...

[MattyC]

Stache,

I blame you for making me purchase the 77 Yount! Awesome photo in that card.

Been doing some homework on some of those mentioned, and it seems that 52 Mathews and 48 Leaf Paige are outright BEASTS as has been said. That would be a real Registry feat, getting consensus on a Top 100 routinely OC cards, then saying screw the grade and looking for purely the best centered freak examples.

[the 'stache]

You bought that 9 on Ebay?
Edit: nm, you did.