Selling 80% of your collection for ‘52 Mantle - would you?

[sb1]

I traded a T206 Set(520), a T205 set(no Hoblitzell no stats or Cycle Matty) and a very nice T207 set plus, a T206 Plank, an E107 Delehanty, M110 Cobb and Mathewson and a little more for one card a few years ago.

It was probably 20% of my collection value wise, maybe less. Really don't miss it. maybe the Plank as it was my last one...

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by sb1

I traded a T206 Set(520), a T205 set(no Hoblitzell no stats or Cycle Matty) and a very nice T207 set plus, a T206 Plank, an E107 Delehanty, M110 Cobb and Mathewson and a little more for one card a few years ago.

It was probably 20% of my collection value wise, maybe less. Really don't miss it. maybe the Plank as it was my last one...

What was the one card you bought?

[sb1]

Originally Posted by calvindog

What was the one card you bought?

A wise old counselor, asking a question you already know the answer to...

[MR RAREBACK]

Originally Posted by sb1

A wise old counselor, asking a question you already know the answer to...

Wow

[Epps]

Beautiful card Scott! You made another big trade long ago if memory serves right?

It would be difficult due to how long it’s taken to chase some of the tougher cards, but I would trade 80% for a T210 Joe Jackson.

[Mark17]

I can easily understand the iconic status of the Wagner and Plank, which are beautiful key cards in a set that has been hugely popular for well over 100 years. Not only are they in very short supply, but they feature two of the most prominent stars of their day. And, they are beautiful cards - the T206 portraits are the best likenesses in the set, generally.

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.

[sb1]

"People covet it because others covet it."

This is the impetus behind every collectible's value. Many, many times a more available item may well bring more than a scarcer item of the same genre, only because everyone has to have one.

The old adage "supply and demand" is fine for commodities in every day life but in the collectible world it's "demand" is the winner.

My lowly Mantle for a card pic.

[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.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by sb1

A wise old counselor, asking a question you already know the answer to...

Oh yes. Damn solid purchase.

[The Detroit Collector]

Originally Posted by sb1

A wise old counselor, asking a question you already know the answer to...

When I made my original post in this thread, this was the kind I had in mind. Amazing