1952
74. 1952 Topps #311 Type 1 Mickey Mantle (HOF) - PSA NM-MT 8 (OC)
Easily the most popular and significant postwar baseball card, the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle has surpassed the now-overused term “iconic,” moving into uncharted territory as the hobby boom continues. Atop the want list of thousands of collectors, experienced and novice alike, it is often stated that the 1952 Mantle and T206 Honus Wagner are the best-recognized cards in the hobby, transcending collecting itself to the point where non-hobbyists can identify each card on site. Certainly owning any ‘52 Mantle is a badge of collecting honor, and in recent years has moved into investment-grade territory in any grade. Because the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle was double- printed, two distinct versions of the card exist, differentiated by advanced collectors as “Type 1” and “Type 2.” The varieties are easy to distinguish: Type 1 Mantles can be identified by the “e” in Mantle’s facsimile signature curving upward, a solid black border on all four sides of the Yankees logo, a solid border around the top of the “star box” above Mantle’s name, a missing pixel at the bottom left corner causing the border to appear rounded, the stitches on the baseball on the card back pointing left, and the “s” in “DiMaggio’s” on the back lining up with the “h” in the word “Right” above it. Presented here is an outstanding, high-grade “Type 1” example of the famous card, brightly colored with a clean, crisp image. It is a striking example of the landmark card, boasting rich, vibrant color, a remarkably clean image and strong eye appeal. Notably off-center toward the northeast, accounting for the (OC) qualifier, the card otherwise presents at the lofty NM- MT level, with sharp corners, clean borders and an exceptionally fresh appearance. Some very light corner touches at the bottom are noted upon close examination, but it is the bold image and rich color that stands out here.
As high-grade ‘52 Mantles have become firmly entrenched in seven-figure territory, with an EX-MT example surpassing $500,000 in recent months, qualified examples offer an increasingly attractive path to own a high-grade example at a more accessible price point. A spectacular ‘52 Mantle whose technical qualification does little to diminish the unmistakeable stature of a truly high-grade card.
MINIMUM BID: $75,000
19
CLOSES OCTOBER 31, 2026
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