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1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA Good+ 2.5 - From The Collection of World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples....
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Sold on Apr 3, 2026 for:
$158,600.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA Good+ 2.5 - From The Collection of World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples. Presented is the famous 1952 Topps card saluting the great Mickey Mantle, the perennial All-Star center fielder of the New York Yankees. The cardboard treasure stands as the most important and sought-after post-war baseball single in the hobby. Because of its scarcity as well as the incredible demand for it, it's frequently beyond the reach of most collectors' financial means. But for those who wish to experience the thrill of owning this iconic piece without the steep six-figure investment it so often commands, this lot presents a great opportunity. Featuring the burly slugger with his favorite bat perched against his right shoulder, it shows the 20-year-old Mantle at the beginning of his legendary career as a Bronx Bomber. With 17 action-packed seasons still on the horizon, he was just beginning to put together his phenomenal diamond résumé, one that would eventually include three AL MVP awards, one Triple Crown, 12 American League pennants and seven World Series titles.The '52 Topps Baseball set was easily the largest of its day (407 cards deep) and its card dimensions were big as well (2.5" wide by 3.5" high). But as it turned out, Topps management realized late in the '52 season that its "high-number" cards (#s 311 to 407) would never reach their designated channels of distribution in time for the close of the baseball season. Although limited quantities were sent to stores in the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada, much of the product was still inhabiting space at the Topps Company building in Brooklyn. So, a fateful decision was made for a warehouse filled with unsellable cards that a saltwater trip out to sea for the majority of unsold cases would be their final destination.
The offered example of card #311, which was one of the lucky ones spared from a death by drowning, is found in Good+ condition with nice centering, clean registration, clean white borders and a near flawless reverse. Only some noticeable edge and corner wear, and a slight crease on the reverse that stretches from the "I" in Mickey's name straight through the stat box, keeps this specimen from grading higher. Regardless, this remains the card that veteran hobbyists still talk about at length, hoping to one day land this ultimate of hobby whales. Graded PSA Good+ 2.5.
From the collection of World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples!
Best-In-Class Expert Analysis/Summary:
As you travel down the card grading scale, the variance in eye appeal becomes increasingly evident between examples. On iconic vintage cards, like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, the aesthetics of each copy are even more important to collectors. Here, the card's print quality and attractive centering produce a level of visual allure often reserved for specimens graded much higher. The visual quality of this card, relative to the numerical grade, is superb between the black lines. In addition, because this specific example is what some collectors refer to as a "Type I" (the card was double-printed with two distinct variations), the vibrance is almost always superior to that of the "Type II" copies.
Due to its exceptional eye appeal for the grade assigned, this striking card received our Best-In-Class assessment.
View Best-In-Class Certification Details View Certification and Population Details from PSA
Auction Info
2026 April 3 - 4 Spring Sports Card Catalog Auction #50084 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2026
3rd-4th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 46
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 5,583
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
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