1957 Topps Mickey Mantle #95 fake/reprint?

[Forrester]

Hi guys. I am new to this forum but not collecting. However, I have little experience in 50s vintage cards. I found a deal that's seems a little too good to be true. A guy on Facebook wants $150 for this Mantle. Says he got it from his grandfather:

My question is does it look real to you guys or does it look like it might be a fake/reprint. I normally only buy graded but ...

Thanks in advance. I appreciate the insight!

[ALR-bishop]

Welcome aboard.

All of his cards, including this one, have been reprinted by Topps but there are notations on the fronts or backs to make that clear. His 52 and 53 cards have certainly been counterfeited. Not sure about 57 and I think a bigger and better scan would be needed to be sure without the card in hand. If it is legit and the scan is accurate as to condition, it would be a great deal. Are you in a position to eyeball the card in person ?

[Forrester]

I am waiting for a response from him asking about better scans/pics or if we could meet. He is 2 hours away.

[ALR-bishop]

Good luck in your quest. I have heard rumors that the card can be found with the ghost man in the back almost completely airbrushed out, but have never seen such and would be real wary if I did. If that guy was not in the picture it would be one of my favorite Mantles

[Forrester]

Still waiting ... from that scan I can see the ghost ... but that guarantees nothing. Thanks again. I will post as soon as he responds.

[Forrester]

This is what he sent back: ... And he says he cannot meet me because he is on disability and cannot drive but I could go all the way to his house ...

[Ribbens]

If this is the guys name it is fake

[Forrester]

That is not the guys name. It is a "couple" on facebook.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

There are a lot of '57 Mantles out there. Just sayin....

[Forrester]

So you think it is legit then? There appears to be very little reprints/fakes from the research I did.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Forrester

So you think it is legit then? There appears to be very little reprints/fakes from the research I did.

I would stay away. There is no reason to buy a 57 Mantle from a guy you don't know yet met on facebook, especially when the guy sends you a picture of it in front of a sketchy knife. The card might be legit but I wouldn't risk it. There are too many red flags--no scan, won't meet you, too good of a price, etc.

[Forrester]

Thanks for your opinion! I wish there was something from the pics that gave off a red flag about the card itself. There is nothing I can see that sets if off from others I have seen online.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

I would stay away. There is no reason to buy a 57 Mantle from a guy you don't know yet met on facebook, especially when the guy sends you a picture of it in front of a sketchy knife. The card might be legit but I wouldn't risk it. There are too many red flags--no scan, won't meet you, too good of a price, etc.

I agree...too many questions. Look for another 57 Mantle.

[ALR-bishop]

It is true this card can be easily found in various conditions, and while I generally agree with Robert and Chris ( hence my first post comment), if it is legit, and there is nothing wrong with the card not showing up in the pictures he has sent, you are not likely to get one that nice at anything close to that price. Tough call, but I would not want to buy it until I held it in hand, and making a distant house call to a guy who takes a "sales" picture with a knife in it would give me pause

[Forrester]

Thanks for the input guys. I have definitely decided to not make the drive all the way to his house. Does paypal cover a transaction like this if it ends up not being real?

[pawpawdiv9]

^^ do not use paypal gift.
Most of here use a scanner these days, to post pics. I know some cant, but c'mon, better pics hold this back.
Please, take a buddy or two (smith & wesson) with you if you decide to go forward

[paleocards]

None of my '57s have the Topps' copyright in black on the back right-hand edge. They all are in the same dark blue as the stats. I'd pass...

[4815162342]

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

I would stay away. There is no reason to buy a 57 Mantle from a guy you don't know yet met on facebook, especially when the guy sends you a picture of it in front of a sketchy knife. The card might be legit but I wouldn't risk it. There are too many red flags--no scan, won't meet you, too good of a price, etc.

What's "sketchy" about the knife? My parents have that exact same one. It's actually a pretty decent paring/kitchen knife from the mid 70's.

It is an odd thing to leave in the pic, but obviously they either don't know how or can't be bothered to crop the pics to show just the card. Also something my parents don't know how to do.

Steve B

[ALR-bishop]

Forrester---to improve communications, take Steve's parents with you if you go

[stlcardsfan]

That's a good catch methinks.

Plus that card is very hard to find centered.

Originally Posted by paleocards

None of my '57s have the Topps' copyright in black on the back right-hand edge. They all are in the same dark blue as the stats. I'd pass...

[steve B]

That might be a good idea. She's a pretty tough negotiator.

The last flea market I did a few years back she sold a lot of cards. Apparently when I left to look around the card guys came over to get "deals" from the little old lady.

"Oh, I don't know, my son might get mad if I took that little for them."

Of course I'd told her about how little I'd let them go for and she ended up getting well above that.

Pretty good at selling car parts too.....

"I'm calling about the th350, "
"Oh, that must be the pointy metal thing my son left under the porch"
"I'll be right over"

I'd tried selling it for a couple years, one ad and she had it gone.

Steve B

[bobbyw8469]

Legitimate 1957 Mantle back...

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by steve B

What's "sketchy" about the knife? My parents have that exact same one. It's actually a pretty decent paring/kitchen knife from the mid 70's.

Hahah, don't be offended Steve. I am sure it is a great knife. But, I would consider any knife that shows up in a sales picture for a baseball card sketchy.

Chris

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

There are a lot of '57 Mantles out there. Just sayin....

But, not at $ 150

If you decide to go for it via the mail, you could pay via paypal by credit card with whatever credit card company you have the best relationship. If he screws you get your credit card company to reverse/cancel.

Not sure what that will do to you relationship with paypal so be sure you do not have money in your paypal account...., maybe if you can show fraud was involved it will be ok with them in the long run. Others may have more experience with that scenario or recommend not going that route.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Hahah, don't be offended Steve. I am sure it is a great knife. But, I would consider any knife that shows up in a sales picture for a baseball card sketchy.

Chris

No offense, just an odd sense of humor and a different view.

Now THIS would be sketchy

[Forrester]

^ Ha ha this just made my night! ... Not only did the copyright color give off a red flag but it also appears to be trimmed. Not worth the hassle of having to probably fight with paypal over getting my $150 back. Thanks guys.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by steve B

No offense, just an odd sense of humor and a different view.

Now THIS would be sketchy

I would love to see someone use your picture for an eBay auction.