Goldin Elite Auction Closing August 22 10PM Est
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/23/2020
Graded 70 EX+ 5.5 by SGC. Hall of Famer, in his Topps Rookie Card portrayal. There will never be enough lightly circulated 1952 Topps Mantles in the hobby to satisfy collector demand for what is arguably the most desirable baseball card ever made. These special pieces have generally found solid and enduring, long-term homes, wherein bragging rights are more important than dollars. Few individuals are ever willing to part with an item that defines an enthusiast's status in the hobby. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle has always been a key card in any collection. Even during the mid-1960's, at the very beginning of the organized hobby, the '52 Mantle card carried a premium when star cards from other prominent sets (like Cobb and Ruth!) cost the same as a common. Actually, the word "common" wasn't even used at that time – the concept giving rise to the term did not yet exist. Cards from a specific set were all "common" or they were all "rare." The high-number series from 1952 Topps was solidly in the latter category, even then, and it formed a serious proposition when pondering additions to a collection. Many collectors stopped at number 310 and moved on to the next project. As the hobby grew, and time passed, more and more cards emerged from attics and basements. Vintage cards, even '52 Topps high numbers, are now more readily available, and any collector with deep pockets can complete the set. Today, the challenge is condition. Building a full set of 1952 Topps in EX or better is a mission for a lifetime. The location of a suitable Mantle is the pivotal issue in such a quest, and a singularly satisfying example is presented here. The offered card will immediately assume its place as the cornerstone of the winning bidder's collection. After this, all future acquisitions will likely pale in comparison. This enticing card delivers a physical presence to match its mystique. Its corners are solid right angles, with just mild traces of wear (primarily at the bottom left). A gloriously hued surface announces the card's presence, and the item's deep, rich portrait colors blaze against an intense azure background. The image boasts praiseworthy registration, and the black-line frame containing it is centered with exceptional precision. Finally, the card's back is brightly printed and unblemished. Here, the observer sees one of the most impressive and valuable individual pieces in the collecting hobby. Excellent-plus condition.