Do you believe there are any undervalued Mantle items?

[Bestdj777]

I think the higher grade base cards will likely see an uptick in price as a result of the 52 Topps price surges. The 51 Bowman may see some increases as well, particularly as the 52 Topps becomes less and less obtainable for regular collectors.

The cards I really think are undervalued though are there Venezuelans and the rarer regional pieces. Some of these have seen a recent uptick, but the more common Venezuelans can still be had for relatively decent prices despite the relatively small number of them in existence.

I think the Topps test issues are a completely different story as I think it is incredibly difficult to tell what the value actually is of many of them. I do think that some of them are really under appreciated though.

[ls7plus]

Yes, there are. Among the one's I already have, the '53-'55 Dormand in higher grade (ExMt or better) and the '55 Exhibit Postcard Back in any grade. A well-centered '69 White Lettered version (I have one almost perfectly centered, but it almost looks like one that met up with the bicycle spokes), a NrMt (TPG) '59 Bazooka, plus another which I have a continuing search on. While there may only be a fraction of the demand for these cards compared to the '52 Topps, since the supply is much smaller in most of the above instances, you only need a fraction of the demand also to reach really substantial value in the long run.

Good, thoughtful thread,

Larry

[DeanH3]

'54 Dan-Dee. A tough great looking early card that is not too obscure but still a relatively low pop compared to Topps issues. I recently acquired one so I might be a little biased. I also think the '53 Bowman has a lot of potential as well.

[KCRfan1]

Dean, I had forgotten about DanDee! Many of those cards have chip stains of some sort and nice examples I assume can be hard to find. Your post reminded me about the 54 Red Heart! The DanDee and Red Heart are both nice looking cards. I imagine the DanDee would be more desirable due to sensitivity to condition from being packaged in potato chips. Therefore a better playing purchasing?

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Your post reminded me about the 54 Red Heart! The DanDee and Red Heart are both nice looking cards.

The '54 Red Heart Mantle in nice (EX-MT or better) shape can be a stunning card. I used to have a couple of them back when I was really doing a lot of buying and selling of cards before I settled down with things like a family. Wish I had hung onto one of them...and yes, I think that card for how beautiful it is is undervalued when compared to many other Mantle items (i.e. any of his regular issue 1950's Topps cards graded in decent shape still likely sell for more).

[CW]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

'54 Dan-Dee. A tough great looking early card that is not too obscure but still a relatively low pop compared to Topps issues. I recently acquired one so I might be a little biased. I also think the '53 Bowman has a lot of potential as well.

I would have to agree with Dean's assessment. '54 Dan Dee!

congrats on the new card!

[KCRfan1]

Brian,

Can you post an image of your Stahl-Meyer Franks Mantle? Would it be safe to say that, even though you paid 4x back in the day, the value far exceeds that price now? Again, I suppose the term " undervalued " may apply to regional issues of Mantle.

Are there some Mantle cards that are a little too obscure? Someone mentioned Transogram. Is there a market for them or the 68 Topps game cards? Both sets have star power, are they undervalued or just no interest from collectors?

[Bestdj777]

The 68 Game cards were produced in large quantity and the supply definitely outweighs the demand. The Transogram cards are a bit more difficult and bringing a lot stronger prices, particularly in complete box form. Shameless plug, but if anyone is looking for a decent Transogram I've got one I picked up at Clean Sweep Auction that I'd let go at cost--I finally got a complete box.

I love the Red Hearts, but my understanding is that they continued to release those for many, many years through the mail.

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Brian,

Are there some Mantle cards that are a little too obscure? Someone mentioned Transogram. Is there a market for them or the 68 Topps game cards? Both sets have star power, are they undervalued or just no interest from collectors?

I don't think there are any Mantle cards that are too obscure. And as far as undervalued, I guess what you're really asking is, 'Are there any cards we think will see a significant uptick in price?"

As we all know, the main determination of price is supply and demand. Supply is supposedly (legally) fixed (or decreasing as items are destroyed). Demand fluctuates. So the question boils down to, "Will demand increase enough in the future to cause an increase in the price?" That's the $64,000 question; and I think mainly a question for speculators. If enough speculators think it's value may go up, they may jump in causing a self-fulfilling prophecy. If that were to happen, in my opinion, that would make the card overvalued. Only if the collector base were to significantly increase in the future (in relation to a card's supply) would the card be undervalued today, again, in my opinion.

An example, the 1968 Topps game card. Like Chris said, the supply of the 1968 Topps game card exceeds the demand, hence it has a low "price." Is it undervalued? No, not according to today's demand. Will demand increase for this card in the future? It's anyone's guess. In my opinion, there are enough cards out there that, I think, the demand for this card will be met for some time to come.

There are some cards that may not have a large supply, but they are butt ugly and only a completest would want it (e.g., the 1965 Bancroft Tiddlers Giants of Sport (that's just my own personal opinion)). I can't ever see a card like this being in high demand.

Generally, I'm a pessimist in regards to the long-term "value" of Mantle cards and I'm amazed at the price increases I've seen. I'm also disappointed; there are still a bunch of his cards I'd like to get and I hate to see their "value" increasing before I can get them.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

There are some cards that may not have a large supply, but they are butt ugly and only a completest would want it (e.g., the 1965 Bancroft Tiddlers Giants of Sport (that's just my own personal opinion)). I can't ever see a card like this being in high demand

Wow, in my opinion the Bancroft Tiddlers card is one of the nicest period pieces of Mantle there is, I mean apart from the fact it does not really resemble him, the colors are all off, and you have to purchase two cards to get both the front and back. Other than that, not sure why it isn't seeing the same prices as the 52 Topps I actually wanted that one because I have a thing for foreign issued cards and generally think they are underrated, but I agree it's far from an ideal piece.

[brian1961]

Originally posted by AustinMike-----An example, the 1968 Topps game card. Like Chris said, the supply of the 1968 Topps game card exceeds the demand, hence it has a low "price." Is it undervalued? No, not according to today's demand. Will demand increase for this card in the future? It's anyone's guess. In my opinion, there are enough cards out there that, I think, the demand for this card will be met for some time to come.

YES, THAT'S FOR SURE. FOR A FREEBIE IN A 1967 TOPPS NICKEL WAX PACK, HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE COME TO HAVE SO MANY OF 'EM? WHEREAS, THE BASIC 1964 COINS ARE MUCH TOUGHER. THE ALL-STARS SEEM MUCH MORE PLENTIFUL.

There are some cards that may not have a large supply, but they are butt ugly and only a completest would want it (e.g., the 1965 Bancroft Tiddlers Giants of Sport (that's just my own personal opinion)). I can't ever see a card like this being in high demand.

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, BROTHER. 1965 TOPPS PUSH-PULL, TOPPS WHO AM I?, 1965 TOPPS EMBOSSED CAMEO, TOPPS PUNCH-OUT, and a few etcetras.

Generally, I'm a pessimist in regards to the long-term "value" of Mantle cards and I'm amazed at the price increases I've seen. I'm also disappointed; there are still a bunch of his cards I'd like to get and I hate to see their "value" increasing before I can get them. [/QUOTE]

YOU GOT THAT OH SO RIGHT AGAIN, BRO. WISH I HAD HELD ONTO SOME OF MINE. WISH I HAD TRIED MUCH HARDER TO GET A FEW OF THEM YEARS AGO.

PART OF THE LIFE OF A COLLECTOR. IT HAPPENS. IT'S HARD; VERY HARD.

THANKS FOR A GOOD POST. ---Brian Powell

PS--The 1960 Post Cereal was the very first Mickey Mantle card I ever saw. I've got a very compelling story about the experience in my forthcoming book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. I don't want to tell it here for obvious reasons, and it may not be that compelling of a tale to some, but it left a huge impression on me as a little 6-year old boy. Did you happen to see the photo of an example PSA graded AUTHENTIC? The owner cut it on the inside black frame where it just shows the picture, and no wooden frame to be seen. Kinda like a beautiful Bengal Tiger with his teeth pulled out. Made me sick.

[AustinMike]

[Dup]

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by kcrfan1

brian,

Can you post an image of your Stahl-Meyer Franks mantle? Would it be safe to say that, even though you paid 4x back in the day, the value far exceeds that price now? Again, i suppose the term " undervalued " may apply to regional issues of mantle.

Lou, i'll have to see what I can do. I'd have to have my son help me load up some image of it. Yeah, I'm a real "brontosaurus". My '54 Stahl-Meyer Mantle gem is in my book, and it came out beautifully with the accouterments I chose for its portrait.

For most of the chapters, I don't own anything great to speak of, but for this one, I do. Graded SGC50 VG-EX. It was never imprisoned between the two rows of wet, greasy but delicious Stahl-Meyer frankfurters. Color is off the charts. Centering is dead 50-50 both ways. Its only flaw, and I mean only, is a half-inch back crease that starts on a side edge of the card and goes in, missing Mickey but reducing the grade from Mint to technical VG-EX. A technical knock-out for the grade; nevertheless, the card is simply breathtaking.

Are there some Mantle cards that are a little too obscure? Someone mentioned Transogram. (NOTE-----The Transogram is appreciated by quite a number of Mickey Mantle enthusiasts; recently I saw a PSA 9 on eBay. The seller's price escapes me, but it was colossal.) Is there a market for them or the 68 Topps game cards? Both sets have star power, are they undervalued or just no interest from collectors?

Some of the Topps test issues were either never issued or sold in a Brooklyn candy store for test purposes. Some of them are gorgeous; some are very obscure, and ugly to boot. I would even urge our resident Mickey Mantle master completionist not to lose any sleep over them. Be that as it may, whatever he chooses, he's my pal and I'm behind him.

Besides, these obscure Topps test issues are indeed Topps products, and have bus-loads of feverish fans, as well they should be.

'Nuf said. Regards, Brian Powell

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Brian,
Would it be safe to say that, even though you paid 4x back in the day, the value far exceeds that price now?

Those regional issues in any kind of shape have always been pricey. I have the 2nd issue of Baseball Cards magazine from 1981, and they value the Stahl-Meyer Mantles at $700 and up even back then. To put into context, remember that in 1981 a gallon of gas cost $1, a dozen eggs cost about 90 cents, and the median household income in the US was less than 30K per year. Other run-of-the-mill star cards from the 1950's in "mint" condition could be mostly had for well less than $20.

[pawpawdiv9]

As i did my Mantle runs...I enjoyed the 60 post. That salmon color and wood frame was fantastic, mine was grade sgc10...I also had a Oklahome Today..pretty obscure piece with a nice shot of the Mick. I had several oddballs, even the 54 Dan-Dee which and the 52 BerkRoss and had the 65 Bancroft Tiddlers, that i consgined to Sterling this past Spring that went waaaayyy cheap!! Think they were PSa 5's.
After selling the collection (except the 51B and 52T RC) ..i am still happy where i am today with some Hof RC's. If i ever decide to try it again..I know know to buy the best centered ones and only do the Basic Topps runs. I know a few folks here are accomplishing this goal and have setup a nice collection thus far. But i believe that the 51 (52 WS?? determined) Wheaties B&W premium was by far my most prized oddball item.
And to my other bro, Begsu..i am still wowed by that signed 51B you have. Can i hold it next year??

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I have the 2nd issue of Baseball Cards magazine from 1981, and they value the Stahl-Meyer Mantles at $700 and up even back then.

Correction, it is the '81 Sport Americana price guide that has the Stahl-Meyers. The '81 BBCM I have lists a '52 Topps Mantle #311 for $1100 ($660 in VG), and a '53 Topps Mays for $575. Nolan Ryan's '68 Topps RC is $10.