[Seven]

Originally Posted by Mark17

To me. the "iconic" status of the 1952 Topps Mantle is somewhat manufactured. I think it is popular partly because everybody else thinks it's iconic. There might be a Berra-ism there somewhere. For starters, it's popularity and value mostly dates back to the Card Prices Update days, and the advent of the "rookie card craze," when the hobby suddenly decided the first appearance on a card, like the first edition of a book, was deserving of elevated status.

The 1952 Topps Mantle was designated a RC at first, although it was not a true rookie card. It was a high number, but also a double-print and therefore not scarce. It also, to my mind anyway, is not an attractive card, like the 1953 or 1954 Bowman, or 1961, 1964-1966, and 1968 Topps cards.

Mantle himself is iconic, no doubt. But the 1952 Topps edition, originally pitched as a RC, is not a rookie card, it is not scarce due to double-printing, and its attractiveness is personal taste, but not universally appreciated.

What I'm saying is, I think a big part of this card's popularity is psychological. People covet it because others covet it.

I agree with many of the points outlined, I also think that it's such a notable card because one of the largest groups with the most disposable incomes, The Baby Boomer Generation, idolized Mantle as a kid. Mantle was/is worshipped and some of that worship got passed down to their kids, as they had them and introduced them to the Hobby.