What caused that '58 to grade PSA 1? I've seen 3's that look worse, at least at first glance!

Little glue residue on back

Very nice, Mantles, guys!

I was in our local card shop today. I had a short list of a few "modern" cards I needed to take to the National for the included VIP autograph tickets. I asked to look at the 1962 Post cereal baseball box, and found this Mantle. Priced to sell at $10 I can't resist.
Larry
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=22908
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=22909

A couple more non-card pickups. A serving tray from a Country Kitchen restaurant as well as a menu. In the group photo, I already had the menu on the left. I'm not sure when Country Kitchen became Country Cookin' or why.

By the way, in case anyone is interested ... the Texas food staple, chicken fried steak, would have set you back $1.95 back then.

Had to go back and look at some earlier posts. Nice Mantles all around.

Brian, that is a very neat display idea. I might have to copy it.

Michael, many thanks for your kind words. The SAFCO unit was from 1989, though I imagine they're still in business today. The five-drawer unit is very sturdy, made from heavy guage metal.

The dimensions of the case overall is approx. 40 X 29". However, the actual usable display area is 37 X 18". The drawers will only pull out so far, so a lot of space is wasted; however, it was designed perfectly to house blueprints. As it was, there were flaps at the front of each drawer (installed to prevent the b/ps from curling) that I had to drill out to free up valuable display space for the cards.

The pads I made really give the right effect of a personal museum display.

In the end, what space remains is ample enough to offer some of my best a right proper spotlight viewing area, with full protection from all light, and preventing me from seeing them every time I walk in the room. Really, it's like five All-State glass display cases in one.

Congrats, Mike, on your array of Mickey's Country Kitchen and Country Cookin' items. As Mick said, "To get a better piece of chicken, you'd have to be a rooster." I just wish it had been the "cash cow" Mickey had envisioned, or was convinced by someone else it would surely be. At least he finally found his gold mine, when he and Greer Johnson became a business, marketing the one thing thousands and thousands of collectors would gladly pay well for---his autograph.

I recall in the last year of Mick's life, he was getting $75 a signature. Compared to now, .......

Have you been eyeing the Huggins and Scott auction of Bill Willen's massive Mickey Mantle collection? Mr. Willen also wrote a book, that just came out early this year, and from the looks of it, photograph-wise, it is perfect for the Mantle collector who'd enjoy a quality color photo of every Mantle card, coin, premium, and pack photo. For that alone, it is worth the $25 price tag from Amazon. I will need to buy a copy. It is also a paper book, so it's right up your alley. Mine's still available, but I'll shut up about that.

Take care, my fellow Mickey Mantle collector warrior. ---Brian Powell

Brian, thanks for putting a name on the owner. That's a fantastic collection and right in my grade range. Someone messaged me thinking it might be mine, and looking through I thought some of the cards were mine. But, alas, he has the true rarities that will never show up in my collection.

Chris, methinks you're selling yourself far short of the reality you truly have many of those same rarities that Bill owned, and is now selling. You have done very well. Mate, the story of how you acquired your 1960 Home Run Derby Mickey Mantle alone vaulted yourself into some pretty exclusive company.

Cheers, my friend.:D

Your pal, Brian Powell

I've been putting together the 1958 Topps baseball set on/off for the past 20+ years. I recently got back in the hobby and really wasn't sure of a direction. Collect the remaining 1/3rd or focus on something else? Decided it was time for something new. Went to the National show with the intent of trading the '58 set and some other cards for a nice '56 Mantle. Had no idea that I would end up with this card but super pleased that after a long day of deals, I was able to bring home this 1954 Red Heart Mantle.

Nice!

Mantle
 

Picked up this beauty

Nice buy Larry. I had the only 5 of Clubs known for a while. Glad I sold it before these two surfaced. Awesome piece. You must be ecstatic about that pickup.

Brian, thanks for the kind words regarding the Country Kitchen/Cookin' items. Also, thanks for the additional info regarding your "display" case. I was wondering if you found a blueprint case without the "flaps" at the front of each drawer. You solved that riddle for me. I have been eyeing the H&S auction of Willen's items. Chris gave me the heads up about it. I also saw a link in a thread somewhere here on Net54 to the clip on SCD with Willen. His book does look very interesting and since a hard copy is available (hint, hint), I will probably get it at some point.

TIm, that Red Heart is a beauty. Very nice pick-up.

Larry, congratulations on the difficult pick-up.

A recent addition:

Attachment 282390

Interesting piece. What is the story behind the company/pic

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a0b1d86a26.jpg

Picked up a couple of the Mick today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dave,

I've never seen this issue before. Found it on eBay and was happy to add it to my type collection. Couldn't find much about the card, but it is pictured as a 70's era issue on this site: http://mickeymantle7.net/mantle-premiums-2/

Wow, I can't believe it's been a whole week since anyone has posted to this thread.

Here are some pick-ups from the last week or two.

Cool glove tag!!

Great stuff Mike! Love the tag. Nice to land a real one like that.

Austin Mike---The only good thing going for that Journal-American is the more than decent photo of Mickey. It is unique, as I cannot recall seeing it on another issue.
Really, in the SGC holder, the card presents very well. Nice going. You know, Mike, grading truly helps with the Journal-Americans because they're such flimsy cards. Being encapsulated gives the card excellent heft, and a much better all-around appearance. Obviously, a beautiful specimen.

Back in the 1963, I peeled off those inserts and placed them on my bicycle. The rain didn't do much to them, but the sunlight killed them. Of course, they were already "dead" after I took the backing flaps off!:rolleyes: I have this vague memory I did not stick Mickey to my bike; rather, I chose my bedroom wall.

In the late 80s or early 90s, I bought another nice, fresh '63 Mantle peel-off sticker. As I reflect on it, I spent more replacing that sucker than I spent buying gum cards during all or most of my childhood!:mad: Then again, I remember a '61 Topps Mantle I saw that some kid shot with a bb gun. The hole was right above Mick's head. Worse, I bought a near set of the Yankees' 1967 Coca-Cola Premiums. This was around '93; the price was good--under a hundred bucks. It was plain to see what happened with them, or should I clarify, what was done to the Mickey Mantle. The group of nearly 12 had been placed together on a dealer's table at a show. They were bundled together with a large paper clip.

Guess who had been on top?

Right.

So, now the Mickey Mantle has a rather deep paper clip indentation on Mickey's cap. To top it all off, when the doofus removed the paper clip, that clip had a semi-sharp burr on it, as those clips often do. As the idiot removed the clip it tore a tiny bit of Mick's cap off!

Two blatant, permanent eye sores, not to mention killing the card's technical grade. As Moe once said to Curly, if you were over here I'd give ya this---SLAP!!!! (Moe smacks Larry, and the cute little toddler laughed. This was from their 1938 classic, MUTTS TO YOU.)

At least my other favorite card in the Yankee set, Mel Stottlemyre, came out beautifully. SGC graded it EX-MT, due to a tiny bit of corner wear. I used this card, and the Ernie Banks I had graded at the same time, to illustrate chapter 7 in my book. Those cards look magnificent in graded holders!

Nice going Mike on your pick-ups, you're going great, bro. ---Brian Powell

Anyone remember this from the 70's, you can get a mint 52 Mantle for only $3k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35O7ccIX6SA

Mantle Autographed Photo
 

Just thought i would ask what you guys thought about this photo, what it might be worth and if the signature looks legit. To your collective Mantle expert eyes, tell me if the autograph is real.
Thanks!
Chris

Thanks for the congrats on the glove tag.

Brian, I remember back in '63 I kept my cards in a shoe box with some wrapped in rubber bands. Unfortunately, the cards I acquired back then have spent the last 49 years languishing in a dump somewhere in northern California (back then they were called dumps, now they're sanitary landfills - doubt those cards would be any more sanitary in a modern landfill than they are in that dump. ;)) If only we knew then what we know now.

Chris, you might get a response if you place this question in the autograph section. I know there have been many discussions about Mantle's autograph there and someone would probably be able to help you out regarding the legitimacy of the auto.

Mail
 

Small PSA submission Mailday. Some oddball Mantles. Three highest graded.
PSA doesn't recognize the colored site/black back as a variation but man that one was tough to find.

Ben, yeah, I'm still looking for the colorized map with the black (versus green) inside. I've kept an eye out for it ever since you mentioned it in another thread a while back. Congrats on the oddballs. If the coaster was on eBay recently, I was one of the underbidders. Also need the mileage coaster.

Some pick-ups this week:
I got the Norwich Boy's Briefs bag because I had the Norwich Boy's Tee Shirt bag. Anyone know if there's a Norwich Boy's Sock bag?
The bottle cap with "U8" is a Coke cap with a large head of Mantle.
The bottle cap with the inside lining still in the cap is a Fresca cap with a large head of Mantle.

Some great stuff in this thread. This is my best Mantle piece, a picture of Mickey Mantle on his first pro team, the semi-pro Whiz Kids, from 1947 when he was 16 years old. Mantle and a few of the other players have signed the picture (the other sigs are barely legible).

The condition is a bit rough because it is an original that belonged to one of the kids in the picture, Guy Crow, who was the bat boy (left end of the right bench).

Hiya Chris,

Earlier this year, I finally was able to get this same autographed photo of Mickey. I had been wanting one ever since I saw the story of these in the pages of Sports Collectors Digest back in the 80s. The one I purchased on eBay had already been PSA / DNAed early this century.

In case you aren't aware, photographer Ray Gallo was able to catch Mickey relaxed in the dugout at Fenway Park in September, 1956. The photo turned out perfect in every way. Mickey himself said it was HIS PERSONAL FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM. Around 1980, Mr. Gallo had a professional artist who worked with oils colorize the photo. She did the job of a master artist. Ray in turn had a decent number made into 8 X 10 prints, and then had Mickey autograph each one. You can tell your print is genuine from the personal Ray Gallo three-dimensional stamp pressed into the lower right-hand corner of the photo.

Isn't it just dazzling, bro? For me, it was my first Mickey Mantle autograph. I display it with my cherished cards and coins of Mick, as well as Roger Maris.

Congratulations, Chris. ---Brian Powell

I did bid on a coaster on eBay recently but lost to small traditions. Here is my HI matchbook run. Love the bottle caps...

my topps basic cards run progress in the last week.
i have the 1960 in the mail.. i only need to buy now the 1966

[table][tr][td]https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/11/52/54/64/mantle11.jpg[/td][/tr][/table]

Happy eclipse day everyone!

Attached is a photo of the Mantle Bazooka cards I got in the H&S auction. Just need the '59 Bazooka now. Also attached is the '52 Star Cal decal from the same auction. Obvious disclaimer: the pictures are not to scale. :rolleyes:

1959 Bazooka Mantle box!!! Wow!
 

Blown away - 24k for Bazooka Mantle box! I sadly was the under bidder back in 2010 when it sold for 6 :( Really happy to see Bazooka boxes and other obscure issues getting some financial recognition!

Great looking cards, Nelson and Michael!

Nice cards michael !

Great cards Mike! I'll trade you my 59'Bazooka for the Star Cal sticker if you want :)

Thanks guys!

Chris, I'll gladly trade you the Mantle Star Cal for the '59 Bazooka box that just sold. :D

Howard, I'm very disappointed at the "financial recognition" that some of the obscure items are getting. I would rather the recognition come after I've been able to add them to my collection. :p I would have loved to have gotten the '59 Mantle Bazooka box, but after spending a lot more than I had planned on the Star Cal Mantle, I ended up being a way-under bidder on the Bazooka box.

I understand
 

I have been at this for the better part of 30 years. I have always loved collecting Bazookas, Venezuelan's, food issues, test issues, etc. With rare exception many of those items have had no financial respect compared to regular issue cards. That said - I completely understand about wanting to buy them before they hit the stars. I too was a way under bidder on the box. Just think how upset I was realizing that I was THE under bidder on the very same box back in 2010 at 5K!!:eek:

The Star Cal was a great (albeit expensive) pick up!

Nice!
 

Great pickups AustinMike!

My White Whale and the new centerpiece of my Mantle collection.
Attachment 285446

I hear you Howard. I can definitely sympathize with you regarding your near miss on the beautiful '59 Mantle Bazooka box several years back.

I think one of the reasons the oddball cards are doing so well is because of the '52 Topps. It's kind of dragging everything else up with it. But, I would rather have the oddball cards more than the '52 Topps. The '52 Topps can be purchased any day of the week, whereas the oddball cards are available at most a couple of times a year. And ... they still cost less than the '52 Topps.

Fantastic pick-up Dave!!!

I agonized over staying in the hunt for that card or going for the '54 Stahl-Meyer or the '52 Star Cal. I kind of thought that might go for a little more so I gave up on it and was surprised it ended as early as it did. Then gave up on the '54 Stahl-Meyer and it closed. I ended up getting in a bidding war for the '52 Star Cal and of the 3 I really wanted, it was the last one to close.

Anyway, a big congratulations on getting the '53 Briggs.

Thanks Tony. I appreciate it.

Thanks Mike, those Bazookas are fantastic

Great card, Dave

Plus 1 on this sentiment bro, great addition to the collection Dave and enjoy for years to come !

My newest addition to my personal Mickey Mantle collection.

1954 Bowman

One of my favorite Micks

Mine too, card presents itself very well as a 5!

[QUOTE=Stonepony;1694525]My White Whale and the new centerpiece of my Mantle collection.


Congratulations, Dave. That is a honey of a Briggs Mickey Mantle!

In my heart of hearts, your specimen deserves an "upper deck" numerical grade from PSA. Briggs made no attempt to define the borders on its cards, except their beautiful deep red background as the basic color of its package. In 1953-54, it wasn't supposed to be that big a deal--just cut the card out, kid!!!!!

Now, the cut IS the big deal.

If the original owner who cut the card did the good job I'm seeing, why just authenticate it?*!@#! I mean, here's an extremely rare and very attractive Mickey Mantle once-free prize now worth 5 figures. You would think PSA would give the card a lot more thought than "AUTHENTIC". As it is, each AUTHENTIC card (involving any set where the cards are "hand-cut") must be meticulously scrutinized on a card-by-card basis. With the advanced scanning technology employed by the better auction houses, this is accomplished.

I can further articulate my irritation, but this is not the time. Dave, your Briggs if flat out beautiful. A dream Mantle due to its regal rarity, having the heart of Bob Olen's perfect rookie portrait of our Mick Charles. Thank you for sharing your joy, bro. Well done.

I hope you enjoy my book, too. It's impossible for me to know if my Briggs chapter will enhance your knowledge of the set, but I know for certain your fondness and respect for the entire promotion should take a quantum leap! Obviously, winning and now receiving Mickey has given you a sigh of relief, and a major rush of happiness and thrill at owning one of those rare Briggs babies. Or, I should say, THE rare Briggs baby! The others are all cool and desirable, but Mick remains the key.

----Brian Powell

Guess the grade (not a trick).

Peter, Judging only by the front, the grade seems 5.5 to 6.5, with superb color and clarity of image. ---Brian

The back is very clean.

Remembering, Leon's card and the grade it received, I am guessing this one graded a 4?

As I've stated numerous times, and also playing the same, "Guess the Grade" with 3 purchased cards of my own, just when you think you have this grading thing down somewhat, something comes along and throws everything you have learned right out the window. :confused:

Yeah, it was graded a 4 at a show, seems harsh to me.

4 seems right to me

This looks far worse to my eye.

Mickey mantle
 

Rare pickup

Peter, is there a small crease, or a front or back crease/spider, I am not seeing? Perhaps the grade was given because of the white mark on the bat, extending to the sky.

Regardless, at that grade, the price would have been substantially lower, enabling the buyer to get much more eye appeal for much less moo-lah.

---Brian Powell

I agree, Peter, the second card does look worse but, imo, based on what I can see of it, likely should have been graded a 3?

Edit: Meant to add, and again, just my opinion, but I do believe the Mantle's, May's, Robinson's, Ruth's, etc, get graded a little tougher than commons, or at least that is what it seems to me.

Larry, what, another one? :eek: Congratulations! (Insert "Envious" icon here)

mantle
 

hi
had 2...sold the psa 2 kept the psa 3 for now

The more and more I get into the 50's sets, i really love the Topps '54 and '55 sets and it makes me sad there is no Mantle in those sets. They are SO much better than their Bowman counterparts! I'm sure I'm not the first to have this opinion, but it was on my mind today when going through some 50's cards.

How nice would Mick look in those sets!

Lots of fantasy versions out there.

There is also the rather pleasing 54 Sports Illustrated version.

Bump this thread up!

Here's a new addition to my Mantle PC



https://s20.postimg.org/us7ew3o6l/IMG_2359.jpg[/url]

Happy to receive this second to last year Mick

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4411/3...7afd3f5a5d.jpg

Not technically pick ups today, but got these three back from PSA today. The '60 was a bump from a SGC 55/4.5. I gambled and cracked it.

Chris, nice job on the newest additions sir. Really like the "57" as it looks strong for it`s grade. Enjoy !!

https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net...5e&oe=5A3F6CD7

Mailday from COMC. Bottom right is an O-Pee-Chee version. Most are going to PSA for my set registry.

Nice mailday, John!

Thanks to fellow board member, quinnsryche, these are now in my collection. :)

Got lucky and was able to pick-up the last Holiday Inn matchbook (with Mantle's photo) variation that I needed this past week.

Nice matchbook Mike! I'll have to share some info on a couple of new variations one of these days :)






Just kidding. I think you have them all, or at least all but the one with blue matches.

Nice!

That's the toughest one to find of the bunch imo! Great pickup.

I know you told me, but I forget ... which one did you pick up with the blue matches?

As far as variations, I'm sure we can come up with many more. There are the ones with no matches, the ones with one match, the ones with two matches, etc. :D

Thanks ... especially since I think you're the one who informed us of the variation.

I've been looking for the Holiday Inn matchbooks for 2 to 3 years on eBay. I've only seen 2 with the yellow background in all that time, the one I got and another one. This is the first I've seen of this variation, although I've only been aware of it since you told us about it. So I think the yellow background variation would give this one a run for title of toughest to find.

Thanks to Chris, I was able to scratch this off my want list. Thanks again Chris!!