This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2018
We've auctioned off quite a few 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards over the last decade or so (65 at last count), from beaters that barely resemble the actual card all the way up to PSA 8 stunners. We've even given away three of them to consignors at the National over the past few years, so we know this card pretty well. Please take it seriously when we tell you that this PSA 4.5 example offers perhaps the best value we've seen thus far. Examples graded higher are out of the price range most serious collectors, but examples graded lower usually have serious flaws that take away from the card's amazing aesthetics. This one hits the sweet spot; still graded low enough for many collectors to make a run at but lacking the usual pitfalls that make it too unattractive to justify the investment. First off, the centering is quite pleasing for the grade, just a little to the right but completely tolerable and actually better positioned than many graded higher. The endpoints have light to moderate touches, nothing overwhelming and generally very consistent with eye-appeal slightly better than the overall grade. The borders are a particularly bright white, helping to accentuate the smoothness of the edges and the fact that the central image is evenly placed with neither the clockwise nor counter-clockwise pitch that is common even for higher graded examples. Finally, and probably the most impressive aspect of all is that marvelous central image. A deep aqua surrounds the image of the young Mantle with his golden bat slung over his shoulder, free of the surface blemishes you've come to expect of a card at this grade level. Even the reverse is outstanding, nicely centered with deep print on a worry free canvas. The grade might be technically correct, but this mid-grade beauty offers a lot of the pleasing characteristics usually reserved for higher graded examples. If this is your price range, you won't find a better piece to anchor your collection.