Best Musial card.... on a budget

[Belfast1933]

Would love to hear ideas from fellow members on the “best Stan Musial for $300” to add to my HOF collection.

As many know, Stan does not have a lot of card options considering he played for 22 years

While I love his early cards, those bad boys (like his cool 48 Leaf) will blow way past my budget.

The early leader might be the 53 Redman (pictured below - he looks like he’s in his prime, has the great Cardinal red + logo)

Other recommendations? Am open to major issues, minor issues, etc. Just looking for a great looking card of Stan the Man that I can get in my budget of $300 (or less!)

Thx all

Jeff

[rats60]

1953 Bowman PSA 5.

[quitcrab]

The red man tobacco would be an awesome addition to anyone’s collection. I also like the baby blue 59 Topps !

[riggs336]

This is my favorite. I'm not sure about prices but you might be able to get a PSA3 or 4 for $300.

[Casey2296]

52 Bowman, 53 Bowman.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by riggs336

This is my favorite. I'm not sure about prices but you might be able to get a PSA3 or 4 for $300.

+1. One of, if not my favorite Musial card. Great picture if him plus the Cardinal red background makes it pop.

Drew

[Harliduck]

I have all his Topps cards and think they are very undervalued. The 1959 is my favorite, and outside the Harmon Killebrew I think the 59 Musial is the coolest card in the set. Great pose, beautiful card...VERY undervalued. Just my opinion...

[luciobar1980]

I also vote 52 Bowman, and behind that 53 Bowman

[Exhibitman]

Exhibits are nice

[campyfan39]

Another vote here got the Red Heart card. By far my fave

[commishbob]

I don't recall what I paid for this but I'm budget minded so I'm sure it was reasonable. O/C or not I don't know if cards get much more beautiful than this one.

IMG_2030.jpg

[ALR-bishop]

53 Bowman and 59 Topps

[Neal]

The 58 All-Star is one of the best images of any card imo

[hcv123]

Same incredible card as the 59 Topps, but MUCH rarer, not crazy expensive in decent condition and part of the 1st Venezuelan Topps set. Also can't go wrong with 52 or 53 Bowman as recommended by others.

[Casey2296]

I'll also vote for the card that never was. Hands down the best image of Stan the Man. I had the honor of meeting him once, what a gracious human being. We also share the same birthday so there's that.

[bobsbbcards]

Prices are current PSA auction prices in PSA 8:

$300


$290


$215 (my favorite Musial card)


$200


$175


$140


For others mentioned (current average VCP)
1953 Bowman Color PSA 5 - $304.56
1952 Bowman PSA 5 - $301.41
1954 Red Heart PSA 5 - $444.84 (probable inflated price)
1953 Red Man PSA 6 - $323.50
1952 Red Man PSA 6 - $343.00

Have fun with whatever you choose!

[jchcollins]

1958 Topps #476 is a ridiculous undervalued card, and you can get it in super high grade for well less than $300. I get that it's not scarce, but it is pretty landmark in being the first Topps Musial card after so many years of him not being in their sets. It's a beautiful card as well, and I love the back breakdown of how he hit against other teams. As a kid I had a mid-grade copy of this, and remember thinking it should be on display in Cooperstown.

[Belfast1933]

You guys are KILLING me here (in a good and helpful way!)

Now I have too many choices, a great problem to have. I never would have considered the 58 All Star card but it really is a great look, very “1958” and is quite affordable.

The Red Heart is a beauty too, no doubt. But I am a stickler for centering so I think that will blow by my $300 budget.

I would love a great looking card when he was still somewhat in his prime (so many of his latter cards are nice but he looks more “vintage” to put it nicely)

That said, I don’t currently have any 1962 cards in my HOF collection so there’s that....

Anyway - thx again for all of the great ideas. Will be fun deciding and then chasing down “the one!”

Jeff

[todeen]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

1958 Topps #476 is a ridiculous undervalued card, and you can get it in super high grade for well less than $300. I get that it's not scarce, but it is pretty landmark in being the first Topps Musial card after so many years of him not being in their sets. It's a beautiful card as well, and I love the back breakdown of how he hit against other teams. As a kid I had a mid-grade copy of this, and remember thinking it should be on display in Cooperstown.

1958 Topps is one of my favorites....and I own a copy.

I nominate the 1947 Bond Bread (rounded corner). I picked it up for a song this summer, on ebay. Great early career addition.

[Bigdaddy]

1a. 1953 Bowman Color
1b. 1954 Red Heart
2a. 1962 Topps
2b. 1960 Topps
Honorable mention. 1963 'Pride of the N.L.' with Willie Mays

In general, I believe Stan's cards to be underrated and undervalued. Great player and a great gentleman.

[Belfast1933]

All, I have seen a couple of nice looking raw versions of the Red Heart Musial.... any suggestions on how to evaluate an ungraded version of this card?

Here is one such version (assuming it’s ok to share live links?)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-RED-HE....m46890.l49292

[riggs336]

The seller is listing it as a reprint.

[Belfast1933]

DOH! (I missed that, obviously... thx)

Originally Posted by riggs336

The seller is listing it as a reprint.