(LOT 12)
1952 Topps #311 Signed Mickey Mantle - PSA 6 EX-MT AUTO Grade - Only 14 PSA Encapsulated Examples!
Save the iconic T206 Honus Wagner, no sports card issue can boast the unparalleled prestige of the revered 1952 Topps #311 High-Numbered Series Mickey Mantle that stands as the hobby's true post-WWII "Holy Grail." Its legendary hobby stature is substantiated by the remarkable price tags high-grade examples have been fetching including $5.2 million for a privately sold PSA 9 MINT specimen ("POP 6") as well as a PSA 8 NM-MT copy ("POP 35") realizing a "record for the grade" $2.1 million in Memory Lane's July 2021 auction. Synonymous to an uncontrollable tsunami, the floodgates have surely opened for this legendary issue, and had it not been for "truckloads" of 1952 Topps high-number vending cases being dumped into the Atlantic's murky waters off of the coasts of New Jersey, the incredible mystique of the '52 Topps Mantle might have never been born.

The absolute manner in which the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps subject achieved its current mystique may never achieve full resolution, but it is surely "here to stay", with only the aforementioned T206 Honus Wagner surpassing "The Mick's" inaugural '52 Topps stature. This cardboard marvel's sudden rise to stardom in the late '80s and early '90s ably assisted the overall market stature, with its incredible pricing points redefining one's perspective for utilizing cardboard heirlooms as viable investment options. Prior to 2013, price tags for the 1952 Topps Mantle subject had remained relatively flat. That concept has truly changed course, with the previously mentioned record-breaking PSA 9 and PSA 8 sales paving the way for the '52 Topps Mantle's pinnacle standing. Sales for all grade levels are now setting records seemingly each and every day, with PSA 1 POOR specimens selling for an unfathomable $30K - $40K. Indeed, typical with any market commodity, the investment values of valuable baseball cards likewise run in cycles, and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 card is now experiencing an amazing pricing surge for all grade levels that have rewritten its overall value.

Interestingly enough, it is an AUTOGRAPHED 1952 Topps Mantle that truly stands as one of "The Mick's" rarest and highly coveted keepsakes, and presented here just happens to be one of the few signed 1952 Topps Mantle cards in circulation, with this PSA authenticated/encapsulated PSA 6 AUTO offering one of only 14 examples on the PSA "Pop" Chart. It should be noted that the current PSA population for a PSA 8 Unsigned 1952 Topps Mantle stands at 35 encapsulated copies, with several examples having now eclipsed the $2 million mark. Thus, a signed Mickey Mantle '52 Topps subject represents only 40% of the total PSA 8 Unsigned copies that are selling at astounding levels. This surely begs the question: "what should be the ultimate value of any extremely scarce scripted '52 Topps Mantle?" While several eye pleasing examples surpassed the $200K mark in 2021 ($228K and $216K), based on the aforementioned PSA "Pop" data, one would think a signed Mantle would realize a significantly higher amount based on rarity alone. Considering the sudden rise of the autographed card market and the 1952 Topps #311 Mantle high-number subject's unparalleled prestige, we would highly expect autographed examples to start narrowing the value gap versus high-grade Unsigned specimens. Regarding this particular offering, it reveals a formidable PSA 6 EX-MT "Mickey Mantle" Sharpie signature directly beneath Mantle's classic portrait pose.

Obviously, the card has seen better days, with a bold horizontal streak of paper loss evident across his chin as well as several areas of surface abrasions situated to the left and right of each ear. An additional glaring blemish includes a piece of clear tape across the top edge measuring approximately ¼" in width and 2" in length. While additional stary wrinkles are evident, a majority of the aquamarine/blue hued background has retained its original color, and the verso is relatively clean. However, of utmost significance is the near-impossible to find near-perfect centering (with most '52 Topps Mantle's reflecting skewed images), even corner wear revealing an eye-pleasing uniformity and of course the momentous PSA 6 horizontal signature that remains unscathed directly above the Yankees insignia and Mickey Mantle text box. This is certainly a scenario where the "right to own a copy" is far more prevalent than the overall aesthetics, for trying to find and purchase one of the 14 known signed 1952 Topps Mantles has become an excruciating task for even the most advanced enthusiast. Truly one of the finest investment cards in the hobby, it rarely comes along for the taking; with this off-condition example providing a glimpse of hope for the collector who has an unquenchable thirst for filling a glaring void in their world-class collection without surpassing the $200K mark!

MIN BID $15,000