Value of a '52 Topps Joe DiMaggio

[scmavl]

Let's pretend for a minute that Topps had issued a Joe DiMaggio card with its 1952 set. It's not that far fetched, since '51 was his last season. What do you think the value would be? Obviously less than Mantle as many (wrongly) consider the '52 his RC but maybe the second most valuable in the set (not factoring in high grade Pafko)? I'm thinking it would have beat out Mays & Mathews, since it would be his only Topps card.

Thoughts?

[albrshbr]

It would depend on what series the card was available in

[scmavl]

Let's say 1st series, as that would make more sense.

[Bob Lemke]

In the First Series, I'd venture to say $3,000 in NM. It should certainly be worth more than a 1949 Leaf. The Topps factor would outweigh the post-retirement sitgma.

[toppcat]

Imagine if he was a high number.....

[hunterdutchess]

What if they did a Williams as well? What one would be more $ ?

[Rich Klein]

Assuming the same series; as that would be Joe D's only card relating to his playing career. Ted would play until 1960

Rich

[scmavl]

I agree. Williams, Musial, and all of the other guys left out of the '52 set went on to have other Topps cards in the 50's and 60's. So Joe D has to be worth more, I'd think.

[novakjr]

I'd have to imagine that if Joe D were in the '52 set, perhaps some thought would've been put into making him the 1st card in the set. If Pafko's worth as much as he is, could you imagine if you were to place Joe in that slot?

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by novakjr

I'd have to imagine that if Joe D were in the '52 set, perhaps some thought would've been put into making him the 1st card in the set. If Pafko's worth as much as he is, could you imagine if you were to place Joe in that slot?

Wow, then I bet it would give Mantle a run for his money as most valuable card in the set.

Also if it replaced Eddie Mathews as card #407 and was a single print. Sky high...

[Volod]

Originally Posted by scmavl

I agree. Williams, Musial, and all of the other guys left out of the '52 set went on to have other Topps cards in the 50's and 60's. So Joe D has to be worth more, I'd think.

Those three did appear in the 1951 Bowman set, so were probably under contract with that company, as were a number of others missing from Topps sets. Musial was in the 1952 Bowman set, but DiMaggio was retired and Williams in service. The latter two were also missing from Topps 1951 sets, so it's likely they were under some sort of exclusive contract situation.