(LOT 301)
1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle PSA 7 NM
NEAR-MINT MICK!!! No one will argue that Mantle's 1952 Topps image will echo for eternity, with the unparalleled mystique of his inaugural Topps card permanently etched in hobby folklore. Unfortunately, a considerable number of advanced collectors simply cannot afford the current stratospheric price tags of a high-grade 1952 Topps Mantle rookie card. Even though it's not the hallowed Topps rookie card, the Mick's second-year 1953 Topps subject has gained considerable prestige over the years via its incredible stoic lithographic Mantle portrait image as well as being the 1952 Topps rookie card's successor. Presented here just happens to be an outstanding 1953 Topps second-year Mantle in a PSA 7 Near-Mint holder, arguably portraying eye appeal beyond the grade. No baseball player could possibly equal Mickey Mantle's post-WWII popularity. Without question, his immense mystique remains unparalleled in the card market, yet considering that his lifetime batting statistics were not overwhelming, you sometimes ponder as to the root of Mantle's unequivocal fame.

Characteristics such as his inconceivable power, long tape measure home runs and overall charisma have, undoubtedly, elevated his godly stature. He was Davy Crockett, Goliath, John Wayne and Joe DiMaggio all rolled up into one super icon, the ultimate embodiment of a national hero. No one could hit a baseball as far as the Mick, with his 10+ documented 500+ foot dingers and two colossal blasts off of the right-field façade at Yankee Stadium, a sheer testament to his unparalleled strength. Worshiped by millions of young American boys, Mantle's legacy continues to steamroll ahead, and it's no secret that his early 1950s cards continue to realize staggering pricing points. This outstanding second-year Topps specimen portrays a nearly flawless lithographic image of the Mick, bursting with vitality and a pristine array of colored hues that are synonymous with pack-fresh quality. Of utmost significance is the fine centering that is virtually impossible to find on any '53 Topps Mantle subject, with only the slightest trace of favoritism towards the left edge.

Additional features include relatively clean surfaces, somewhat square corners, clean off-white borders, and a high-resolution image. Preventing a higher grade is some extremely diminutive wear near the lower two corners and a microscopic trace of color loss near the lower left corner's red text box, a typical occurrence since most examples reflect some degree of minor surface wear near the edging of the red text box. Early 1950s Mantle cards appear to know no boundaries with regard to their unlimited investment potential, and considering an SGC Gem Mint 1952 Topps specimen just fetched an extraordinary $12.6 million, there is no end in sight for this pricing uptick. In March of 2022, another PSA 7 NM '53 Topps Mantle fetched a lofty $52K, so we will let you ultimately decide what this well-centered offering is truly worth, with the value for second-year Topps Mantle subjects certainly appearing to know no bounds!

MIN BID $7,500
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