Let's see your high grade Mickey Mantle cards!!!

[Cardboard Junkie]

You have a great eye for centering........perfect example of buy the card not the grade. The 55 Bowman.....nice...centering on this issue is often overlooked. Your example beats most 7s. And the 56 mick is outstanding...perfect centering..white card stock I presume? Can we see a scan of the back? Nice stuff. Dave

[mintacular]

Thanks Dave, Mantle back is gray, will try to post scan later.

[Bestdj777]

[Zone91]

Bestdj777

Cool...is that also one of the more rare Mantle cards?

Post # 11

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Zone91

Bestdj777

Cool...is that also one of the more rare Mantle cards?

Post # 11

They are much harder to find than their Topps counterparts. They were only released in Venezuelan and I believe in lower quantities than Topps cards. Plus, most of these cards were glued into baseball card scrap books making it very difficult to find any above a PSA Authentic. I probably overpaid for this piece a bit, but I love the look of these.

[Zone91]

Bestdj777

Do you mind me asking how much a card like that cost just in case I run acrross one?

Also I see you have a list of 167/200 Mantle cards do you mind sharing that list with me since I would like to build a Mantle collection and can't seem to locate a full list of all his cards and coins. Thanks in advance!!

Post # 12

[Bestdj777]

Hi Zone,

I bought the card off of eBay for about $360 (shipped) from a very reputable seller. If I held out a bit, I probably could have gotten it for a little better of a price.

As far as my set goes, my list is not comprehensive. Right now, I do not collect regional, test issues, or panels (when the Bazooka cards come in strips, etc., I will only buy the individual Mantle not the Mantle on the strip). One of the more complete lists is the PSA Mantle Master Set Registry available online. I believe it is only missing the following cards/variations:
1. 1965 Mantle Push Pull
2. 1968 Topps Poster Mantle
3. 1969 Topps Yankees Team Poster
4. 1952 Topps Mantle Double Print
5. 1964 Topps Tattoo Red Triangle back variation (came with two color backs, Topps does not distinguish between the two)
6. Exhibit Dad's Cookies Back
7. Exhibit Postcard Back (with muto scope line)
8. Exhibit Postcard Back (without muto scope line)
9. 1969 Topps Checklist (there are two variations, one with an full L in the name Boswell, one with only a partial L)
10. Exhibit variation -- one of the Mantle Exhibits has a variation on the line (one reads Made in USA, one reads Printed in USA). Can't remember which one of the top of my head though
11. 1965 Bancroft Tiddlers Mantle Back
12. Briggs Meat Mantle
13. Topps Mantle Plaque/Mask
14. Topps Plak (big nose variation)
15. Topps Plak (small nose variation)
16. Japanese Mantle Card (forgot the name but you wouldn't be able to find it for sale anyway, because it is just not out there)
17. 1967 Topps Punchboard Mantle Test
18 1968 Topps Punchout (year?) Mantle (PSA lists one but does not list the variation)
19. 1960 OPC Tattoo auto ball
20. 1960 Topps Tattoo auto ball
21. 1960 OPC Tattoo Portrait (Never seen this and not sure it even exists)

Add those to the PSA Master List and you'll have a pretty complete set of Mantle cards. That said, if you want, feel free to send me your email and I'll send you my list. Mine is a bit more manageable and is a great way to start.

To the other Mantle collectors out there, please feel free to chime in if I missed anything. I am going primarily off of memory here.

[Zone91]

Bestdj777

Thanks...yes please send me your list via private message. Does your list include the cards you mentioned here as well? To be honest I never in my whole world thought he had SO MANY cards....that is fun at least this will keep me busy for a long long long time!!!

Post # 13

[ValKehl]

Not high grade, but one of the Mick's scarcest cards, the 1953-54 Briggs Meat. I traded away the one on the right a few years ago, and it has since been graded SGC 10 and appeared in Mile High and Goodwin auctions. I still have the nicer one on the left, and it now resides in a SGC "A" holder.
Val

[CW]

It's pretty sick when you consider only two Dice Game Mantles exist in the hobby, and both of the owners posted their copies in this thread.

Mid-grade, high-grade, no grade -- great cards, all!

[hcv123]

The Venezuelan cards are INCREDIBLY tougher than the Topps cards - just look at the PSA populations for some idea.

1959 - regular - 4,382 graded - PSA 10 highest graded (1)
1959 Venezuelan - 14 graded - PSA 4 highest graded (1)

1964 - regular - 4,417 graded - PSA 10 highest graded (1)
1964 Venezuelan - 29 graded - PSA 5 highest graded (2)

1966 - regular - 5,104 graded - PSA 9 highest graded (41)
1966 Venezuelan - 38 graded - PSA 7 highest graded (1)

1967 - regular - 4,809 graded - PSA 10 highest graded (2)
1967 Venezuelan - 24 graded - PSA 7 highest graded (1)


1968 - regular - 6,247 graded - PSA 10 highest graded (8)
1968 Venezuelan - 12 graded - PSA 5 highest graded (2)

Mantle is in the following Venezuelan issues:
1959, 1960 (Mantle/Boyer), 1962 (Mantle/Mays), 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968.

Larry and Bob are the "oddball - test issue - food issue" Kings - Spectacular collections - I appreciate that they share so much in photos and knowledge.

Al posted the "proof" 1967 Giant Stand up - here is a scan of the diecut version.

rarest Mantles imo (not in any particular order) - 1966 Punchout, 1967 giant standup, 1968 disc, 1961 dice game, 1967 disc.

[hcv123]

Found another couple of images - I own neither, but I think all on this thread will appreciate them:

[pawpawdiv9]

Dang BestDj777 aka Chris...You never told me you had those cards...Now i wish i had that Tiddler book now!!
Your gonna have to show me pics buddy. I showed you mine, you show me your Mantles.
Just think it could be Xmas in a few days for us

[Wymers Auction]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Not to hijack this thread, but Al would love to see your Kaline.

Here's a commerce comet 59 bazooka (Not mine) (I wish it were)

I really like this card a bunch.

[ALR-bishop]

Howard---agree with your scarcity list

[Bestdj777]

These are the rest of my Venezuelans (I have the team card, just not sure if the one I pictured is the OPC or Venezuelan):

[Bestdj777]

A few oddball Mantles for Chris and Zone:

[rcp1936]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

rcp1936.......Just a WAG but I'm thinking you were born in 36.

What part of the country did you grow up in? And how did you keep those cards in such pristine condition.......let's see some more!!Dave. ps Howdy Adrian, welcome to the dark side!

Also I would like to see some 59 bazooka Mantles with numerical grades??

Yeah born in 36
Lived in Philadelphia till 70 then right outside
Had them in a shoebox till the early 80s then in a top loader
All my HOF 51s are graded and the rest are out for grading

[hammer]

This is my favorite Mantle card that I puchased off Kurt Coltrane.

[rcp1936]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Found another couple of images - I own neither, but I think all on this thread will appreciate them:

That 51 is gorgeous
Great centering
The Real Rookie Card

[the 'stache]

Gentlemen, your collections are inspiring.

I have a question for each of you. Out of the Mantles you all have posted, do you have a favorite in your collections? Can you even pick just one?

I watched Billy Crystal's excellent 61* for the first time ever last night (found the Blu Ray for $10 on a late night Wal Mart soda and popcorn run). The movie, and the making of documentary have brought an added appreciation for what Mickey and Roger both accomplished that summer. I really wish I'd grown up back then.

I might just have to make Mr. Mantle the first graded vintage I buy. I have to say that the 1953 Bowman Color Mantle sits at the very top of my list of graded vintage cards to buy. That one, and the Mantle, Berra and Bauer trio card are so beautiful to me. They're windows into a bygone era.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Gentlemen, your collections are inspiring.

I have a question for each of you. Out of the Mantles you all have posted, do you have a favorite in your collections?

My top five, in order, are:
1. 1951 Wheaties
2. Red Heart Dog Food
3. 1952 Topps
4. Push Pull
5. Mantle, Berra, Bauer

The bottom four change on a somewhat regular basis but the 51 Wheaties is a pretty consistent winner for me. I have 30 cards left on my checklist (will likely add more when I get done though), and things may change as I pick some of the others up.

[pawpawdiv9]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I have a question for each of you. Out of the Mantles you all have posted, do you have a favorite in your collections? Can you even pick just one?

.

Of course my 60 Post cereal is one of my fav's
Then its my Oklahoma Today
Then.. i do like the Red Heart
I like the 51 Bowman RC

I recently picked up the Push/Pull too.but not appealing to make list, just a oddity

[jerrys]

1964t-mantle.jpg

[ALR-bishop]

Very nice Jerry

[smrtn240]

just picked this one up today from rick's auction

[hcv123]

A couple more incredible Mantles

[Zone91]

Nice stuff for sure!!!

Post # 2

[ALR-bishop]

Is that yours Howard ? Maybe the rarest Topps Mantle. Even more so than the 61 Dice ( there are 2 of those on this board)

Great card Shawn

[hcv123]

I save images from various sources of great stuff that I will likely never even have an opportunity to own. It's the next best thing..... I get to look at the images whenever I want I did own a 1966 Mays punchout a long time ago - sadly let that go WAY too quick and WAY too cheap - didn't have a true understanding as to how rare it was. It was the same one that sold I think last year in the Huggins and Scott auction for 20k+

[ALR-bishop]

I am envious you at least had one. That is a set for which I would settle for one example. I think Larry on here has a few of them

[sflayank]

al
if i had a double id sell it to u
larry

[67_Palmer]

Originally Posted by CW

This was on my wantlist for some time. Was glad to add it about a year ago.

Killer card, how is this a 5? Looks like an 8 to me.

[pawpawdiv9]

Nice Dan-Dee ^^
I just happened to pic one up in one of my auction lots at REA. Looking forward to actually holding it in my hands.
Yours truley look a lot nicer than a 5. But it could had a slight crease or surface issue or a stain/grease from potato chips. Who knows?
Crack it and re-submit it

Something different

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by rgpete

Something different

Very nice. What back is it?

Its Coke , had the cap since I've been 7

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by rgpete

Its Coke , had the cap since I've been 7

I like it. Very nice shape.

[CW]

Originally Posted by 67_Palmer

Killer card, how is this a 5? Looks like an 8 to me.

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

Nice Dan-Dee ^^
I just happened to pic one up in one of my auction lots at REA. Looking forward to actually holding it in my hands.
Yours truley look a lot nicer than a 5. But it could had a slight crease or surface issue or a stain/grease from potato chips. Who knows?
Crack it and re-submit it

Thanks, guys, that was one of my white whales for some time. I have also looked for what knocked it down to "EX" grade, but I cannot tell (it's tough to see perfectly with the mylar sleeve insert in the holder). I know it's not trimmed (all four sides have perforations), so I am very tempted to play the game with PSA. We'll see...

[MBMiller25]

I really like the color of this card. It just pops.

[ALR-bishop]

Very nice Matt

[CW]

The '58 Topps never really grabbed me, but I've found a new appreciation for it the last few months. Killer example there.

[67_Palmer]

Beautiful 58'

[MBMiller25]

Thanks very much guys, I have never been a huge fan of 58's myself, but if you can find them with nice registration and color, they just seem to pop!

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by MBMiller25

Thanks very much guys, I have never been a huge fan of 58's myself, but if you can find them with nice registration and color, they just seem to pop!

Yeah, that would also be along the lines of my way of thinking.

[HOF Yankees]

I have only one