August 6, 2020: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2020
This is, perhaps, the most recognizable sports card in the entire hobby and the anchor of the most important post-war set in existence. Vintage baseball cards, particularly high-grade rookie cards of Hall of Famers, have seen an explosion in prices realized over the past two years, and there's no sign of that trend slowing down. The one exception, not a true "rookie card" and enjoying the boom market in all grades as it is still considered the premier pasteboard of the hobby, is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. We've seen high-grade '52 Mantles skyrocket to unprecedented levels. The offered card is graded PSA 1, still within reach for many collectors as of now but quickly pushing past the point of affordability for all but the most well-financed aficionados. The card has several light surface creases and several small spots of paper loss and other surface flaws visible under close inspection. The central image, other than the positioning within the border, is extremely pleasing with a deep aqua background that accentuates the well-delivered and universally beloved image of Mantle, recognized by all experts and virtually every novice in the baseball card collecting world. Compared to many examples in its grading tier, this is a very impressive issue with amazing color that immediately elevates the status of any collection.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle No. 311 PSA 1
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