1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA NM 7
If a single item could encapsulate the entirety of sports card collecting, that card would be the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle.
This simple piece of 2-⅝” x 3-¾” cardboard’s combination of an iconoclastic subject, a legendary franchise, a debut set, a dash of mythology, and a demand that seems to always be just out of the reach of the supply – all covered in a thick layer of nostalgia – has created a siren song that extends beyond the reaches of the hobby and permeates popular culture.
Key Deal Points
Valuation Analysis
“This card is a towering symbol of American exceptionalism, from its celebration of our national pastime to the fearless ambition of creator Sy Berger’s vision to the exaltation of a culture that could elevate a poor kid from the Oklahoma coal mines to the pinnacle of fame and acclaim. It is ten square inches of the American dream…It is a commodity recognized and coveted by millions”
– Heritage Auctions
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle, nicknamed “The Mick”, was the linchpin of the New York Yankees epic dynasty during the 1950s and early 1960s. He won 7 World Series Championships, 3 Most Valuable Player awards and was selected to 20 All-Star games. His journey from humble origins to centerfielder for the New York Yankees is the stuff of the American Dream.
Mantle was a classic five-tool player who possessed almost supernatural power that led to a bevy of tape measure home runs, including a 560-foot home run that remains the longest in baseball history. Mantle finished his career with 536 home runs, 1,676 runs scored, 1,509 RBI, 1,733 walks and a .298 batting average, and was selected as a first ballot Hall of Famer and member of Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team.
