(LOT 53)
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie SGC 7 NM 84
MANTLE ROOKIE!!!... However Mantle's 1952 Topps subject achieved its current mystique may never achieve full resolution, but it is surely "here to stay", with only the T206 Honus Wagner "Holy Grail" arguably surpassing "The Mick's" inaugural '52 Topps iconic stature. This cardboard marvel's sudden rise to stardom in the late 80's and early 90's ably assisted the overall market stature, with its incredible pricing points redefining one's perspective for utilizing cardboard heirlooms as viable investment options. For quite some time and before 2013, price tags for the 1952 Topps Mantle subject had remained relatively "flat", and while not diminishing in value, its pricing points had moved somewhat "sideways".
Typical with any market commodity, the investment values of valuable baseball cards likewise run in cycles, and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, dubbed the post-WWII "Holy Grail", is now experiencing and amazing pricing surge for all grade levels that have re-written its overall value. Synonymous with an uncontrollable brush fire, since mid-year 2013, the Topps Mantle rookie value has risen to an unprecedented level. While all grading levels continue to rise, it is the high-grade specimens that are now realizing "off the chart" figures, exceeding prior 2013 values by over 500%! "Seeing is believing", and the most definitive case of this seemingly infinite escalation is evident with several PSA 7 and 8 sales. Offered here is an SGC 7 NM 84 example.
The breathtaking eye appeal is synonymous with Mantle's magnificent legacy, starting with the classic bat over shoulder pose portraying a nearly un-improvable aqua-marine blue background that atypically reveals no "snow" whatsoever. You can virtually feel Mickey's curious nature as he gazes into the future with a youthful innocence that would eventually lead to his immortal Yankee standing. Immaculate resolution, sparkling facial hues, a glistening obverse side surface, clean white borders, a super clean verso. The hallowed image does modestly slightly favor the left edge. No doubt, the recent tsunami-like pricing up-ticks coupled with this offering's sensational attributes more than justify its world class standing.
MIN BID $25,000
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