Mantle Master Set Variations

[Bestdj777]

Thanks Al. I really appreciate you weighing in given your vast knowledge on the subject. I did not know the variation was included in the latest Collectors Digest. I use an older addition and figured if Bob Lemke wasn't including it, and neither was PSA, maybe I could leave it out and still call my set complete. The addition to the Collectors Digest changes things though.

Beautiful cards by the way. Love the PSA 8 (I have that variation but in significantly lesser grade) and the overall look of the ungraded card. Also like the rarer test issue cards I've seen you post in other threads. Very impressive collection.

[hammer]

Great 52 Mantles Al. Someday I would love to own 1 they are at the top of my list but every time I arrive their something else comes up or low on funds, They sure are beautiful

[tedzan]

I have (or have had) every Bowman, Topps, Bazooka, Dan Dee, and Post Mantle cards. I still have my 1952 Topps....but, this 1969 Mantle (BLUE
background) appears to be "unique".
I acquired this Mantle card back in the 1986. I have searched for another one with this color for 26 years; and, have not seen one.

I'm wondering if anyone else on this forum has seen this Mantle card with the BLUE background ?

.

TED Z

[ALR-bishop]

Ted---I have most of his Topps cards, including the W and Y for 69, but have not seen one like that before

[Bestdj777]

Ted, I have been working on the master set for 5 years now, and I have never seen another card like that. Just took a glance through ebay and nothing there either. Beautiful card. It would be interesting to see what PSA would do with it.

[ALR-bishop]

What are the toughest cards in the Master set ?

[Bestdj777]

I should start with a quick caveat. I am working on a variation of the PSA Mantle Master Set. I added several cards to the checklist and subtract the following: Yellow Base Path Pin; Key Chain Insert; Topps Salesman Sample; Topps Plak Checklist; Topps Punchout; and all "panel" or "complete box variations." So, I cannot really speak as to the availability of the ones I omitted.

I am currently 150 cards into what will be a 197 card set for me. So far, the toughest cards for me have been as follows:

1. 1960 Topps Tattoo Portrait (seen one in the last year, and didn't have the budget for it)
2. 1964 Topps Tatoo Yellow Band (seen one in the last year, and just lost out on it)
3. 1962 Post Canadian 163 hits, "4th time" variation (have not even seen a scan of this)
4. Exhibit Portrait (only one I've seen is the $2,500 dollar one that's been sitting on ebay for the last year)
5. Exhibit Post Card Back (never seen a copy for sale, so eventually deleted this from my list)
6. 1951 Wheaties Premium Photo (I have seen two copies in the last two years. One was a beater, and the other I significantly overpaid for).