LOT #80269 |
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1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC VG-EX+ 4.5....
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Sold on May 16, 2025 for:
$94,550.00
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Description
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC VG-EX+ 4.5. As they say, timing is everything. And when Mickey Mantle made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 1951, he was heralded as the likely successor to the soon-to-be retiring Yankee Clipper, center fielder Joe DiMaggio. Overlapping with "Joe D" in the outfield that first season, Mantle experienced his share of growing pains, but kept up the fight despite being sent back to the minors for some more grooming. He periodically showed signs of the greatness that was to come and finished his first big league season with 91 hits (including 13 home runs) and 65 RBI in 96 regular-season games. It was actually a rather modest start to what became a Hall of Fame career.The 1952 season saw Mantle return and improve upon his freshman stats. Playing in 142 games, he batted .311 with 23 home runs and 87 RBI. He did so well, in fact, that he finished in third place in the voting for the AL MVP Award. Presented is Mantle's prized 1952 Topps card, which marked his first appearance on any Topps card. Though not officially his rookie card - that distinction belongs to his 1951 Bowman #253 - his '52 Topps card has continued its hobby ascent and is still the one that sets auction records. In fact, Heritage Auctions sold a higher-graded example (SGC Mint+ 9.5) for $12.6 million in August 2022. That sum remains the highest amount ever paid for any sports card in history.
The offered card, with its colorful history regarding the haphazard distribution of the '52 Topps set and ultimately the disposal of many '52 Topps baseball cases into the briny deep, exhibits great color, milky white borders and a clean reverse. And though it is off-center, clearly pulling from left to right, this mid-grade example would still likely be the crowning piece to many collections saluting the fabled Bronx Bombers, baseball or Mantle himself. Through 18 MLB seasons, "The Mick" launched 536 home runs, drove in 1,509 runs and averaged batting .298. The three-time AL MVP also stole 153 bases along the way. But perhaps more importantly, he helped the Yankees win 12 AL pennants and seven World Series titles during his tenure in pinstripes. With all that said, the '52 Mantle #311 remains the most desirable card in the hobby. Graded SGC VG-EX+ 4.5.
Auction Info
2025 May 16 - 18 Spring Sports Catalog Auction #50077 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2025
16th-18th
Friday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 35
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,287
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
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