LOT #80596 |
Current Bid: $75,000
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC VG-EX+ 4.5....
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Description
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC VG-EX+ 4.5. When 19-year-old 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 played well but experienced his share of growing pains. In fact, he was shipped back to the minors for nearly 40 games for more grooming. When he was competing for the big club, however, he showed signs of his vast potential by collecting 91 hits and driving in 65 runs. Overall, it was a modest start to what went on to become a Hall of Fame career.The 1952 MLB campaign saw "The Mick" greatly improve upon his freshman season stats. Playing in 142 games, he batted .311 with 171 hits (including 23 home runs) and 87 runs batted in. He did so well that he actually finished third in the voting for the AL MVP Award. Offered is Mantle's much revered 1952 Topps card, which marked his debut on any Topps card. Though not officially recognized as his rookie card - that distinction belongs to his 1951 Bowman #253 - his '52 Topps issue (#311) has continued its hobby ascent and still sets auction records along the way.
The presented card, with its sorted history surrounding the distribution of the '52 Topps set and ultimately the disposal of many '52 Topps baseball cases into the briny deep, shows outstanding color, solid registration, snow white borders and a clean reverse. And though it is off-center, pulling from left to right, this middle-grade example would still likely be the ultimate show piece in any collection honoring the fabled slugger. Through 18 MLB seasons, Mantle belted 536 home runs, drove in 1,509 runs and averaged batting .298. A three-time AL MVP, he also recorded 153 stolen bases. But perhaps of most importance is the fact that Mickey led the Yankees to seven World Series crowns during his tenure sporting pinstripes. Graded SGC VG-EX+ 4.5.
Guide Value or Estimate: $50,000 - up.
Auction Info
2025 December 19 - 21 Winter Sports Catalog Auction #50081 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
December
19th
Friday
10:00 pm CT
Auction Dates
December
19th-21st
Friday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
3 Days
11h 59m 34s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 52
Lot Tracking Activity: 173
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Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature Internet Extended Bid Session - Extended Bidding :
(Lots 80001-82194) - 10:00 PM Central Time, Friday, December 19, 2025.
[Normal bidding closes and extended bidding begins at 10:00 PM Central Time the evening of the session. Details below.]
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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