What was the best 1952 Topps card ..... in 1952?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Chuck9788

We all know the Mantle card is the crown jewel of the set. But back in 1952 the Mantle card was probably viewed as a common card.

What card(s) did collectors way back in 1952 want when they opened up their pack?

i doubt mantle was viewed as a common in 1952..being on the yankees and he was a top prospect

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

i doubt mantle was viewed as a common in 1952..being on the yankees and he was a top prospect

3,781 posts but finally one I agree with you on .

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

3,781 posts but finally one I agree with you on .

well i guess you are entitled to be right one time in life..

[swarmee]

This set coming on the heels of the Shot Heard Round The World probably made the Bobby Thomson a good card; but I would bet most people looked forward to the Jackie Robinson. If any of the baseball names were household at that point, it was Jackie.
And so many of the luminaries (at least the ones we consider today) are all in the high series or semi-high series. I bet a lot of the purchasers were like, "where are all the stars?" Did the kids know they'd never get a Musial or Ted Williams in a pack?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by swarmee

This set coming on the heels of the Shot Heard Round The World probably made the Bobby Thomson a good card; but I would bet most people looked forward to the Jackie Robinson. If any of the baseball names were household at that point, it was Jackie.
And so many of the luminaries (at least the ones we consider today) are all in the high series or semi-high series. I bet a lot of the purchasers were like, "where are all the stars?" Did the kids know they'd never get a Musial or Ted Williams in a pack?

Whoever was double printed....including the mantle would also be logical to assume they were more popular

[KCRfan1]

You make a nice point John.

There was no checklist, and the back of the 52's do not indicate how many cards are in the set nor does the wrapper.

I guess we'll consult the experts.

Was there a way to know how many cards were in the 52 set or who was in the set when you were buying packs in 52?

[OsFan]

From everything I’ve read Mantle was always the card. Maybe not on the way to the five and dime but once kids got a look at it they knew. It just looks important. No other card in that set came close.

[irv]

Originally Posted by irv

That is a great question! I think TedZ might have an answer as he remembers purchasing these cards back in 52 but with no Williams, Musial, etc, like Bob mentioned, maybe, because they were new(er) to the market, collectors just had to have them?

I am guessing Bob's picks/choices were likely the main reasons, but it will be interesting to hear what TedZ has to say?

Not tooting my own horn here but this article holds some water with what I was thinking.
https://www.psacard.com/articles/art...-ever-produced

Also, like they mention in this piece, these players were likely highly sought after as well.
This sheet featured all-time greats: Phil Rizzuto, Warren Spahn, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider and Robin Roberts.

This is also a great piece/site, if you will. Tons of great info which I have used repeatedly for various reasons.
http://www.1952toppsbaseballcards.com/

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

well i guess you are entitled to be right one time in life..

[CW]

Interesting advertisement as it relates to Chuck's question, Jason.

I was wondering where Willie Mays would fit into the mix here, but after looking at his stats it appears he didn't really break out until 1954.

1951 was 121 games, 20 HR and .274 avg. 1952 was only 34 games played, and 1953 was off due to military service. 1954 -- 151 GP, 41 HRs, and led league with .345 avg.

[KCRfan1]

I imagine most kids would be looking for the players on the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants. All of the NY teams. Insightful comments about Mantle as he took over for DiMaggio. Radio was king and Yankee baseball was broadcast throughout the NE. Mantle certainly would have been highly sought after.

[swarmee]

Interesting counterpoint: if everyone was clamoring for the high series cards, then they would have sold out. And the leftovers wouldn't have been dumped in the ocean, because they couldn't sell in bulk for years before they were sunk.

So maybe we're all wrong.

[Lueth2048]

I'll pretend that I'm my Father for this one, even though he never collected cards. He was nine years old and living in Cleveland in 1952.

I think he would have been looking for:

Dale Mitchell (his favorite player)
Bob Lemon (his favorite pitcher)
Al Rosen
Ted Williams

I don't think he would have been interested in any of the New York or Brooklyn players.

[Rookiemonster]

Cool question ! Not being old enough to be around for that era in history. I would guest Roy Campanella. He was the mvp the year before and still a rising star. Big market player with power. At least Maybe it would have been the card I wanted .

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Lueth2048

I'll pretend that I'm my Father for this one, even though he never collected cards. He was nine years old and living in Cleveland in 1952.

I think he would have been looking for:

Dale Mitchell (his favorite player)
Bob Lemon (his favorite pitcher)
Al Rosen
Ted Williams

I don't think he would have been interested in any of the New York or Brooklyn players.

Yeah, I think certain simple things get foggy over time, and your post hits the nail on the head. Whereas Mantles are always desired big-time because their value goes up, up, up, we can't forget that back in the day a kid's home team trumped all. As a tyke in 1972, for example, I would've given anything for a Jerry Grote or Cleon Jones card and couldn't have cared less about Aaron, Ryan, etc. Wasn't even close. Value never entered the picture when it came to my hometown Mets.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

i doubt mantle was viewed as a common in 1952..being on the yankees and he was a top prospect

Nice post, which need not be edited!

[bnorth]

I was not around till long after 1952 but I would think kids would have wanted the best real rookie card in the pack, Eddie Mathews.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I was not around till long after 1952 but I would think kids would have wanted the best real rookie card in the pack, Eddie Mathews.

A little before my time but I was under the impression the term rookie card didn't exist back then, and they weren't really a big deal. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[ALR-bishop]

I was only 2 in 1952 but seem to have a vague memory of wishing and hoping my Dad would get me a Eddie Mathews rookie card and wondering why the heck He could not find me a Musial card.

[toppcat]

My money's on Berra. Biggest market player, reigning MVP and a Yankee.

To amplify that last point, I'm not sure of the year it began but by 1958 Topps was paying Yankees players double what they paid everyone else for their rights.

[ALR-bishop]

$ 100 ?...

[rats60]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

i doubt mantle was viewed as a common in 1952..being on the yankees and he was a top prospect

Mantle finished 3rd in MVP voting in 1952. People would have been hot after his card.