At my safety deposit box today, thought I would share 52 Topps Mantle

[marvymelvin]

So, I have posted about this before, but it has been a few years. I thought I would check in on a few things while I was at the bank today, and thought I would share for a little fun.

Just a little background info:

I have owned this for about 10 years. My memory is not so great. It has never been in a graded slab. I am not sure if it is the only ungraded copy around.

I have not ever been in a rush to sell it, and have been super nervous to put it in the mail to PSA, so here it is.

Lots of things have changed over the years since I have owned it. Overall value, value for centering, grading criteria etc.

It is not trimmed or altered, the pictures tell you everything there is to know.

So what are your thoughts?

What is your opinion on a PSA grade for this?

Are there any other ungraded copies still floating around?

Can anybody put my mind at ease regarding my anxiety about putting it in the mail to PSA.

Wishing you all a peaceful day.

[jchcollins]

Looks like a correct Type 1 to me. Very nice.

[CW]

So what are your thoughts?

Great card! Obviously well loved over the years, but very nicely centered which is not common on this card.

What is your opinion on a PSA grade for this?

Probably PSA 1 maximum, possibly "authentic" if it has a period trim job.

Are there any other ungraded copies still floating around?

Oh yes, likely thousands out there ungraded, but it would be impossible to come up with an actual number.

Can anybody put my mind at ease regarding my anxiety about putting it in the mail to PSA.

Yes, one way would be to attend the National Collectors Convention which is held every year and drop it off in person at the PSA booth. PSA also attends several other card shows throughout the year and could possibly provide a schedule. You can also drop it off at the PSA offices, but I would probably call first to see how that works.

If you ever did go to sell, I would highly recommend getting this particular card graded rather than selling raw as it is.

[CardPadre]

Great card, must have felt good to see it again. Thanks for sharing. Will you enjoy it more in a slab or just feel better about it for a future sale? Best way to have peace of mind in mailing is make sure it's fully insured or do a show drop-off, if possible.

[irv]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

So, I have posted about this before, but it has been a few years. I thought I would check in on a few things while I was at the bank today, and thought I would share for a little fun.

Just a little background info:

I have owned this for about 10 years. My memory is not so great. It has never been in a graded slab. I am not sure if it is the only ungraded copy around.

I have not ever been in a rush to sell it, and have been super nervous to put it in the mail to PSA, so here it is.

Lots of things have changed over the years since I have owned it. Overall value, value for centering, grading criteria etc.

It is not trimmed or altered, the pictures tell you everything there is to know.

So what are your thoughts?

What is your opinion on a PSA grade for this?

Are there any other ungraded copies still floating around?

Can anybody put my mind at ease regarding my anxiety about putting it in the mail to PSA.

Wishing you all a peaceful day.

Similar story with mine but I removed my copy a few months ago to show a friends son, and my cat.

I'm in the same boat. Very nervous/afraid to send mine and others through the mail to any TPG, including a few up here. Taking a trip/vacation someday is how I will likely do it?

Like mine, I assume a 1 but with my paper loss, I may only receive an "A"?

Nice card.
Thanks for sharing.

[Exhibitman]

I've seen worse 1952s; some of mine



Yours is a 1. I've seen worse 1's. Me, personally, I prefer a nicer front and a worse back than vice versa:



I wouldn't mail it unless I had private insurance on it and I followed the insurer's shipping instructions in the policy.

I never thought a poor condition Mantle could cost more than a car, but here we are.

Guess as to value: $20,000-$25,000

Some state of affairs when our collections are held hostage in SBDs and we just look at images.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I've seen worse 1952s; some of mine


Guess as to value: $20,000-$25,000

Some state of affairs when our collections are held hostage in SBDs and we just look at images.

5 minutes to go.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/364240091763

[marvymelvin]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I sent an inquiry to PSA last year about the option to drop it off. I was told that they are a closed secure facility and do not allow drop off in person.

Taking it to the National is not something I can do. So I still have the mail in option. What I paid for it 10 years ago seems like a pittance compared to current value. It is one of the few investments I have made that actually worked out well.

I have been close to selling when it was about $6000, then again at $10,000, at $15,000, and even at $20,000. Each time it was just pure luck that resulted in me keeping it.

Another question I have that is open for feedback, is what is your opinion on where the value of low grade 52 Topps Mantle's will go. I have expected prices to level out every step of the way, and they haven't.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Send it registered mail. 99.99999999999999 percent chance it gets there, if you are worried. A card like that should be slabbed.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Send it registered mail. 99.99999999999999 percent chance it gets there, if you are worried. A card like that should be slabbed.

Sadly, with current pricing, it will cost you at least $1K to get this slabbed with PSA. So be ready to pay!

[mikemb]

Originally Posted by irv

Similar story with mine but I removed my copy a few months ago to show a friends son, and my cat.

I'm in the same boat. Very nervous/afraid to send mine and others through the mail to any TPG, including a few up here. Taking a trip/vacation someday is how I will likely do it?

Like mine, I assume a 1 but with my paper loss, I may only receive an "A"?

Nice card.
Thanks for sharing.

Your cat does not look impressed with the card.

Mike

[irv]

Originally Posted by mikemb

Your cat does not look impressed with the card.

Mike

Once I told him, (post pic) what it was he was looking at, he came around some.
This guy, however, couldn't care less as he didn't even bother getting up to have a look.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by irv

5 minutes to go.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/364240091763

$23,389. Right in the middle of my guess range.

[gonefishin]

Nice card. I took mine, and a 53, to PSA in person back when they had a walk-in with appointment only. It cost me $150 per card, which I thought was crazy at that time. That's before they moved. It was rather odd, I entered through a door and went into a small waiting room. Their business was in a building shared by others and was directly across from the Marine Recruiting office. A CS rep lady met me, filled out the paper work and I went to lunch. I came back a couple of hours later, met the lady in the small waiting room and got my cards. I never went "inside" where the goodies were. They both received a PSA 1 but I was still happy. I sold the 52 for 9K a few years ago, but I still have the 53. I think the missing paper from the back got me the 1, but I really didn't care.

My opinion is yours would receive a 1 or Authentic - either way - great card.