(LOT 717)
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie PSA 3 VG
'52 MANTLE!!! The 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 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. For quite some time and prior to 2013, price tags for the 1952 Topps Mantle subject had remained relatively "flat", and while not diminishing in value, its pricing points moved somewhat "sideways". That concept has truly changed course, with the $5.2 million private sale for a PSA 9 Mint example paving the way. In fact, even VG specimens such as this stellar PSA 3 offering have achieved record-setting prices in 2021 with several eye pleasing examples fetching $85K and $90K, and an absolutely breathtaking PSA 3 realizing a "record for the grade" $162K figure this past March.

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 an amazing pricing surge for all grade levels that have rewritten its overall value. Synonymous with an uncontrollable brush fire, since mid-year 2013, the Topps Mantle Rookie value has risen to an unprecedented level, with mid-grade specimens now fetching 300% - 400% pricing upticks. The superb aesthetics of this PSA 3 VG specimen are synonymous with Mantle's exalted stature, spearheaded by the iconic "bat over shoulder" pose portraying a sparkling aquamarine blue background that atypically reveals minor wear. One of the cleanest VG '52 Mantles you will ever come across, you can virtually feel Mickey's curious nature as he gazes into an unknown future, unaware that he would soon be embarking on a majestic career that would lead to his immortal Yankee standing.

Recently graded by the renowned PSA grading company, the clear-clarity, brilliant facial hues, no obtrusive surface flaws and fine visual appeal are consistent with its VG assessment. It is no secret that even low-grade '52 Topps Mantles now command strong five-figure plus price tags. In fact, an "Authentic" example recently broke the $40K mark in our previous auction, a bona fide testament to the unparalleled prestige of this post-war "Holy Grail" that along with the exalted T206 Wagner stands tall as one of the two most historic cards in our illustrious hobby!

MIN BID $15,000
_