This 52 mantle real

[the 'stache]

There will be other forum members with much more experience examining the '52 Topps Mantle than I have, but looking at this, nothing is jumping out to disqualify this card.

This is a type A example. The black border appears correct. The pixel in the lower left hand corner of the border is missing. The black box around the Yankee logo is there. The coloring looks fairly accurate. As for the card itself, there's uniform wear at the corners. I'd really like to see the back if possible.

Poor to fair example. Several creases, some water damage to the front (looks like a drop in the middle), a little paper loss in the upper right hand corner.

What do you think, guys?

[ATP]

From what I can see in the scan it should be good. If you have it in hand, look through a loupe and check for the half tone printing. It's worn but you cant touch much at all on a 52 mantle for under $3000.

[tuckr1]

Thanks guys I am trying to get a pic of back

[Bestdj777]

Nothing looks off about this to me, although I am far from an expert.

As for prices, prices on these vary, but I would say anything less than $3300/3400 would be a good deal for this card, assuming it is real. Although poor, it is still a presentable example.

[Sean1125]

Looks good... Back scan would make it definative - make sure to check that the printing is correct when card is in hand. Anything $2800-$3k is a solid on the card, you should be able to sell for $3.3-$4k

[Zach Wheat]

It looks good to me too. One of the things I look for is the paper underneath the first layer of corner wear. This one looks consistent with other '52 paper stock and the printing looks good.

Ask me why I check the worn edges? I got burned once on a nice looking '51 Bowman Mantle. Looked perfect even down to the wax stains on the reverse. Didn't check the paper stock underneath the first layer....

[Volod]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

It looks good to me too. One of the things I look for is the paper underneath the first layer of corner wear. This one looks consistent with other '52 paper stock and the printing looks good.

Ask me why I check the worn edges? I got burned once on a nice looking '51 Bowman Mantle. Looked perfect even down to the wax stains on the reverse. Didn't check the paper stock underneath the first layer....

Zach - Just curious: I assume you mean the grayish colored cardstock under the white overlay that is visible in the corners due to heavy wear? That makes sense, but did the bogus '51 Mantle show something else?

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

It looks good to me too. One of the things I look for is the paper underneath the first layer of corner wear. This one looks consistent with other '52 paper stock and the printing looks good.

Great advice. Checking the stock is soooo important.

One of the first things I started working on when I began collecting vintage cards was to get a control card for each set I was planning on collecting from. I buy a common (a card nobody in their right mind would take the time to fake), preferably with some decent wear around the corners, and one I wouldn't mind cutting into. Because if I'm looking to buy a '52 Mantle, I want to have a card I know is good to compare it to. I'll compare the printing technique under a 10 x loupe. I'll compare the feel/thickness of the card to the one I'm considering buying (you don't have to take it out of whatever screwdown or top loader it's in). And since my common isn't collectible grade, I'll compare the edge I've trimmed on mine to the edges of the more expensive card. If the Mantle (or whatever other card you're looking at, like an Eddie Mathews) has any trimming evidence, it will stand out. It really helps to develop your eye, and eventually, you won't need to carry the common with you.

It's worth the couple of bucks to make sure, at least at first, that you're not spending a few thousand bucks on a well-crafted fake.

But my gut instinct tells me that this is good, at least based on the front.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Although poor, it is still a presentable example.

Absolutely. I'd flip out if I had that in my collection. Any real '52 Mantle is highly collectible.

[tuckr1]

What you guys think of red Ty CObb Portrait Piedmont, PSA2.5, Jordan rookie 4.5 BGS, Knute Rockne PSA 2, Topps Gretzky PSA 4 and $1650 cash for this deal??

[pawpawdiv9]

lets just say this card is graded a 2...probably worth 5-6k,
a 3 could get 10-12k
Looking at what you got..
a red cobb-1-1.2k+
jordan-400+
rockne-(depends 33sk or 35nc? 250-300+
gretsky-RC79-80? opc or topps? 2-300
plus the cash
thats only 3850 total, you can barely get a decent PSA1 mantle. I save my $$ and wait.those are some nice cards and theres plenty of more 52's out there.