Just Another 1952 Mantle PSA 9

[WWG]

Originally Posted by CW

slightly better image until the auction hits

Was that at last years National? Beautiful card and dead on centering.

[jfkheat]

Originally Posted by WWG

Was that at last years National? Beautiful card and dead on centering.

Yes. Evan also had a PSA 10 1953 Topps Mantle in his showcase.
James

[Stonepony]

It may be board heresy, but lay this card next to any known t206 Wagner and I would choose the Mantle for MY collection.

[1952boyntoncollector]

man.. you guys have outed this auction....

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

It may be board heresy, but lay this card next to any known t206 Wagner and I would choose the Mantle for MY collection.

Not even a close call for me. There are what, 50 or so known Wagners? Compared to thousands of Mantles. For (relatively speaking) very little money one could get a nice EX MT or NM Mantle. From a collecting, not investing, perspective, is knowing the 9 is going to look better under a loupe really worth millions?

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not even a close call for me. There are what, 50 or so known Wagners? Compared to thousands of Mantles. For (relatively speaking) very little money one could get a nice EX MT or NM Mantle. From a collecting, not investing, perspective, is knowing the 9 is going to look better under a loupe really worth millions?

totally agree with you pete...no contest for me either.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not even a close call for me. There are what, 50 or so known Wagners? Compared to thousands of Mantles. For (relatively speaking) very little money one could get a nice EX MT or NM Mantle. From a collecting, not investing, perspective, is knowing the 9 is going to look better under a loupe really worth millions?

I totally understand the sentiment, but man, that Mantle 9 is cardboard perfection. It's like looking at the Grail; I almost need to avert my gaze it's so pretty. For those who value aesthetics over rarity, I can see why some may prefer this over a low grade Wagner. But I'll never be a player for either, so I admit my opinion really doesn't matter much here.

[Orioles1954]

I'll pass on both and choose a Baltimore News Ruth instead.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

I totally understand the sentiment, but man, that Mantle 9 is cardboard perfection. It's like looking at the Grail; I almost need to avert my gaze it's so pretty. For those who value aesthetics over rarity, I can see why some may prefer this over a low grade Wagner. But I'll never be a player for either, so I admit my opinion really doesn't matter much here.

Put it next to the jumbo Wagner or a similar grade and I will take the Wagner, no doubt. Same for Baltimore News Ruth PSA 4.

[ergoism]

Originally Posted by rats60

Put it next to the jumbo Wagner or a similar grade and I will take the Wagner, no doubt. Same for Baltimore News Ruth PSA 4. It is a nice card, but how do we even know it is not altered? With the history of this hobby and grading companies, this type of premium is insane to me.

I'll take them all, they're all great cards. How do you know any of them are not altered? If you're going to throw around words like that on the most valuable thing I own I'm afraid I'm triggered and will have to request that you identify yourself in your posts per forum rules.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

I totally understand the sentiment, but man, that Mantle 9 is cardboard perfection. It's like looking at the Grail; I almost need to avert my gaze it's so pretty. For those who value aesthetics over rarity, I can see why some may prefer this over a low grade Wagner. But I'll never be a player for either, so I admit my opinion really doesn't matter much here.

Would you feel the same way if it was raw and you weren't influenced by the flip?

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Would you feel the same way if it was raw and you weren't influenced by the flip?

I'd take that Mantle raw over a Wagner. I'm influenced by its beauty and because I love the card, the player, and the team. And as a collector of that card I can appreciate how rare that specimen's overall beauty is. Just as I am not influenced by the Wagner's value, because in my collecting journey I've never really felt pulled to own the Wagner. I appreciate its significance, yet no matter how hard I try sometimes, I just don't have a strong connection to it.

Bottom line, to each his own.

[donniebaseball]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Would you feel the same way if it was raw and you weren't influenced by the flip?

I don't think that the flip has anything to do with this example. The card is incredible with elite centering, registration, color, and corners. It is potentially the best 52T Mantle in the hobby.

A collector may prefer other cards from different eras but that is their choice. To each their own. Differing opinions are what makes the hobby interesting.

[edhans]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not even a close call for me. There are what, 50 or so known Wagners? Compared to thousands of Mantles. For (relatively speaking) very little money one could get a nice EX MT or NM Mantle. From a collecting, not investing, perspective, is knowing the 9 is going to look better under a loupe really worth millions?

+1 here as well.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not even a close call for me. There are what, 50 or so known Wagners? Compared to thousands of Mantles. For (relatively speaking) very little money one could get a nice EX MT or NM Mantle. From a collecting, not investing, perspective, is knowing the 9 is going to look better under a loupe really worth millions?

So for you, it appears that overall rarity vs condition is most important. I can totally relate as a photo Collector. The Mantle sure is pretty though. By far, the most ICONIC/recognizable baseball card(Americana) and MINT.

[darwinbulldog]

I had a Mantle once, just a PSA 1, so I could say I owned one. And that was kind of fun, but it's not a card that I ever would have cared much about except for other people's opinions. I like owning rookie cards of the top players, I like owning rare cards, and I like owning cards I find aesthetically pleasing. But the '52 Topps Mantle isn't any of those, and neither is the T206 Wagner. I'd be happy to own either one of course, but I'd rather have the money.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

So for you, it appears that overall rarity vs condition is most important. I can totally relate as a photo Collector. The Mantle sure is pretty though. By far, the most ICONIC/recognizable baseball card(Americana) and MINT.

Absolutely, it's a beautiful card. As a collector I would just rather have a Wagner; or a NM Mantle and the millions in difference between a 7 and a 9 to spend on something else if I had to make a choice.