Sport Cards 1950-80
1952 Topps MANTLE
Intro
The first part of the series of baseball cards published by Topps in 1952, numbers 1 to 310, inaugurated the modern style with a colorful and pleasant image and a good information on the back about the player.
Topps wanted to keep going but their extension of the 1952 series, numbers 311 to 407, was not released on suitable time. Their informations concerning the records of the players being already obsolete, the distribution was limited and the cards that remained unsold in the stock of the publisher were destroyed in mass a few years later.
The first card of this second part, bearing the number 311, maintains a high excitement in the hobby. It is not the earliest baseball card of Mickey Mantle but it may be considered as his rookie card. It is indeed his first Topps card.
Mickey Mantle is that young handsome player who was iconic of the postwar American dream. Owning a high grade 1952-311 card is currently recommended as a strong investment. The date of this edition is not so old and our grandfathers are feverishly searching into the shoeboxes of their youth. The population of PSA graded cards is growing significantly : 1,225 in December 2015, 1,392 in October 2016, and approaching 1,600 in 2019.
The top of the scale is occupied by 3 cards graded Gem Mint 10 and 6 graded Mint 9, according to PSA data in 2019.
Topps wanted to keep going but their extension of the 1952 series, numbers 311 to 407, was not released on suitable time. Their informations concerning the records of the players being already obsolete, the distribution was limited and the cards that remained unsold in the stock of the publisher were destroyed in mass a few years later.
The first card of this second part, bearing the number 311, maintains a high excitement in the hobby. It is not the earliest baseball card of Mickey Mantle but it may be considered as his rookie card. It is indeed his first Topps card.
Mickey Mantle is that young handsome player who was iconic of the postwar American dream. Owning a high grade 1952-311 card is currently recommended as a strong investment. The date of this edition is not so old and our grandfathers are feverishly searching into the shoeboxes of their youth. The population of PSA graded cards is growing significantly : 1,225 in December 2015, 1,392 in October 2016, and approaching 1,600 in 2019.
The top of the scale is occupied by 3 cards graded Gem Mint 10 and 6 graded Mint 9, according to PSA data in 2019.
1
Mint 9
2018 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Heritage
1952 starts very well for Topps and quite bad for Mickey Mantle.
The New York Yankees' great prospect, highlighted in early 1951 as Joe DiMaggio's designated successor, had finally made a dull season. After being downgraded to the Minor League, he returned to the Major League but suffered a severe injury to his right knee in an action with DiMaggio.
His father who was also his mentor dies on May 7, 1952 at the age of 40 of a blood disease. It was not known at the time that his illness was lead poisoning developed when mining. The young Mickey who is psychologically fragile believes in a hereditary curse. On July 8 Mickey is selected for the All-Star Game as an outfielder but left in reserve.
At the instigation of Sy Berger the bubble gum brand Topps makes a sensational entry into the edition of baseball cards. After a first trial in 1951, Topps launches in 1952 an extensive series with sharp pictures, pretty colors and a pleasantly didactic inscription on the back.
The printing of the 1952 series is made in several batches including the gradual selection of additional players. Mantle's omission in the first 310 players is probably due to his poor start of the season. When he becomes the first of the final 311-407, it is too late. The 1952 season is already well underway and Topps is slowing down the distribution to prepare for 1953 with suitably updated information.
An excellent participation at the beginning of October in the World Series launches the career of Mickey Mantle in a sustainable way. Although 1952 is not his rookie year, the rare Topps 1952-311 will become the most desirable of the modern baseball cards.
At the top of the scale PSA ranked three cards as Gem Mint 10 and six as Mint 9. None has been auctioned for more than a decade. One of the Mint 9 was sold for $ 2.9M by Heritage on April 19, 2018, lot 80477. With its bright colors and excellent centering this card excites the experts. The reason why it did not obtain the Gem Mint 10 grade is not revealed in the catalog.
Please watch the video shared by Heritage.
The New York Yankees' great prospect, highlighted in early 1951 as Joe DiMaggio's designated successor, had finally made a dull season. After being downgraded to the Minor League, he returned to the Major League but suffered a severe injury to his right knee in an action with DiMaggio.
His father who was also his mentor dies on May 7, 1952 at the age of 40 of a blood disease. It was not known at the time that his illness was lead poisoning developed when mining. The young Mickey who is psychologically fragile believes in a hereditary curse. On July 8 Mickey is selected for the All-Star Game as an outfielder but left in reserve.
At the instigation of Sy Berger the bubble gum brand Topps makes a sensational entry into the edition of baseball cards. After a first trial in 1951, Topps launches in 1952 an extensive series with sharp pictures, pretty colors and a pleasantly didactic inscription on the back.
The printing of the 1952 series is made in several batches including the gradual selection of additional players. Mantle's omission in the first 310 players is probably due to his poor start of the season. When he becomes the first of the final 311-407, it is too late. The 1952 season is already well underway and Topps is slowing down the distribution to prepare for 1953 with suitably updated information.
An excellent participation at the beginning of October in the World Series launches the career of Mickey Mantle in a sustainable way. Although 1952 is not his rookie year, the rare Topps 1952-311 will become the most desirable of the modern baseball cards.
At the top of the scale PSA ranked three cards as Gem Mint 10 and six as Mint 9. None has been auctioned for more than a decade. One of the Mint 9 was sold for $ 2.9M by Heritage on April 19, 2018, lot 80477. With its bright colors and excellent centering this card excites the experts. The reason why it did not obtain the Gem Mint 10 grade is not revealed in the catalog.
Please watch the video shared by Heritage.
2
NM-MT 8
2021 SOLD for $ 2.1M by Memory Lane
The 1952 Topps Mantle from the Thomas Newman collection is graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. It was sold at lot 5 for $ 2.1M by Memory Lane on July 10, 2021.
3
NM-MT 8
2021 SOLD for $ 2.03M by Goldin
Triggered in 2020, the boom in contemporary cards has led to an undeniable increase in the value of classic trading cards. Two online sales, by Heritage on February 27, 2021 and by Goldin on March 6, 2021, allowed comparisons in period within this evolving market.
Two Mickey Mantle rookie cards compete against each other, the 1951 Bowman and the 1952 Topps. The Topps had attracted an early attention because it was in the delayed edition whose publisher destroyed a large part of his production.
The rest of this discussion is only about cards graded NM-MT 8 by PSA.
Until 2020 inclusive, the highest auction price for an NM-MT 8 was $ 204K for the Mantle Bowman and $ 660K for the Mantle Topps, respectively since 2016 and 2017. Population no longer explains the price differences : 53 with only 10 higher for Bowman, 35 with 16 higher for Topps.
The Topps is an expressive photo in which the champion in action is a real symbol of the American dream of that time. In the highest grades, amateurs pay new attention to aesthetics. The record-breaking Topps 8 of 2017, which has an excellent visual appeal, was sold for $ 1.6M by Goldin on January 30, 2021.
Similar aesthetic considerations may apply beyond the grade on the Wagner T206 but certainly not for the 1951 Bowman, a clumsily retouched image.
In the March 2021 sales, the Bowman is at lot 80017 by Heritage and at lot 67 by Goldin. A few days before ending, the bids are close to 5%, more than doubling the 2016 record. Goldin's Topps, lot 2, is advertised as "One of the Hobby's Very Best PSA NM-MT 8 Examples". The Topps from Heritage, lot 80020, is advertised as "pack fresh".
The results were as follows.
The Bowmans were sold for $ 620K each.
The Heritage Topps was sold for $ 890K. This card was soon afterward sold for $ 860K by Goldin, on May 22, 2021, lot 5. Please watch the video shared by Goldin. This card was sold by Heritage for $ 1.56M on February 26, 2022, lot 80021 (see below).
The Goldin Topps was sold for $ 1.32M. It was sold a few months later for $ 2.03M, also by Goldin, on October 23, 2021, lot 1.
Two Mickey Mantle rookie cards compete against each other, the 1951 Bowman and the 1952 Topps. The Topps had attracted an early attention because it was in the delayed edition whose publisher destroyed a large part of his production.
The rest of this discussion is only about cards graded NM-MT 8 by PSA.
Until 2020 inclusive, the highest auction price for an NM-MT 8 was $ 204K for the Mantle Bowman and $ 660K for the Mantle Topps, respectively since 2016 and 2017. Population no longer explains the price differences : 53 with only 10 higher for Bowman, 35 with 16 higher for Topps.
The Topps is an expressive photo in which the champion in action is a real symbol of the American dream of that time. In the highest grades, amateurs pay new attention to aesthetics. The record-breaking Topps 8 of 2017, which has an excellent visual appeal, was sold for $ 1.6M by Goldin on January 30, 2021.
Similar aesthetic considerations may apply beyond the grade on the Wagner T206 but certainly not for the 1951 Bowman, a clumsily retouched image.
In the March 2021 sales, the Bowman is at lot 80017 by Heritage and at lot 67 by Goldin. A few days before ending, the bids are close to 5%, more than doubling the 2016 record. Goldin's Topps, lot 2, is advertised as "One of the Hobby's Very Best PSA NM-MT 8 Examples". The Topps from Heritage, lot 80020, is advertised as "pack fresh".
The results were as follows.
The Bowmans were sold for $ 620K each.
The Heritage Topps was sold for $ 890K. This card was soon afterward sold for $ 860K by Goldin, on May 22, 2021, lot 5. Please watch the video shared by Goldin. This card was sold by Heritage for $ 1.56M on February 26, 2022, lot 80021 (see below).
The Goldin Topps was sold for $ 1.32M. It was sold a few months later for $ 2.03M, also by Goldin, on October 23, 2021, lot 1.
4
2022 SOLD for $ 1.56M by Heritage
A 1952 Mantle Topps graded NM-MT 8 by PSA was sold for $ 1.56M on February 28, 2022 by Heritage, lot 80021.
This example had been discussed in this column in March 2021 for comparison with another card in same grade. It was sold for $ 890K by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80020, and for $ 860K by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 5 (see above). Please watch the video shared by Goldin and the video shared in 2022 by Heritage.
Its condition is described as follows by Heritage in 2022 : "a slight easterly shift to centering, otherwise virtually invulnerable to criticism".
This example had been discussed in this column in March 2021 for comparison with another card in same grade. It was sold for $ 890K by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80020, and for $ 860K by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 5 (see above). Please watch the video shared by Goldin and the video shared in 2022 by Heritage.
Its condition is described as follows by Heritage in 2022 : "a slight easterly shift to centering, otherwise virtually invulnerable to criticism".
5
NM-MT 8
2021 SOLD for $ 1.6M by Goldin
The highest grades defined by PSA are 10 Gem Mint, 9 Mint and 8 Near-Mint-to-Mint, summarized respectively as Virtually perfect, Superb and Super high end. Collectors are of course looking for the best ranked, but also for the finest cards in their grade.
A card graded 8 may have some minor imperfections such as wax stain on the back, fraying on two corners, printing defect, off white edges, 65/35 centering on image side and 90/10 on reverse side. Visual appeal is not measurable and is not considered for the attribution of the grade. Nothing prevents an 8 from having retained the brightest colors.
Here are two examples of the Topps 1952-311 card featuring Mickey Mantle in the NM-MT 8 PSA grade, from a population of 35 in that grade with 16 cards in the higher levels.
One of them was sold for $ 460K by Heritage on February 23, 2019 and for $ 570K by Goldin on November 1, 2020. It has an exceptional centering, a glossy surface and a very nice color contrast between the portrait and the azure blue background.
The other example has similar qualities plus very white edges and a perfectly printed reverse side. It was sold for $ 660K by Heritage on February 26, 2017, lot 80084 and for $ 1.6M by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 2.
A card graded 8 may have some minor imperfections such as wax stain on the back, fraying on two corners, printing defect, off white edges, 65/35 centering on image side and 90/10 on reverse side. Visual appeal is not measurable and is not considered for the attribution of the grade. Nothing prevents an 8 from having retained the brightest colors.
Here are two examples of the Topps 1952-311 card featuring Mickey Mantle in the NM-MT 8 PSA grade, from a population of 35 in that grade with 16 cards in the higher levels.
One of them was sold for $ 460K by Heritage on February 23, 2019 and for $ 570K by Goldin on November 1, 2020. It has an exceptional centering, a glossy surface and a very nice color contrast between the portrait and the azure blue background.
The other example has similar qualities plus very white edges and a perfectly printed reverse side. It was sold for $ 660K by Heritage on February 26, 2017, lot 80084 and for $ 1.6M by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 2.
6
NM-MT+ 8.5
2016 SOLD for $ 1.13M by Heritage
A 1952 Topps card # 311 graded NM-MT 8.5 + by PSA was sold twice by Heritage, for $ 1.13M on November 17, 2016, lot 50786. and for $ 765K on December 5, 2019, lot 51027.
The copy for sale has beautiful colors and a remarkable lack of wear. It was brought by a visitor at the Heritage booth in a trade fair in August, 2016 and was immediately appraised by PSA. It is graded NM-MT+ 8.5.
The copy for sale has beautiful colors and a remarkable lack of wear. It was brought by a visitor at the Heritage booth in a trade fair in August, 2016 and was immediately appraised by PSA. It is graded NM-MT+ 8.5.
1955 Topps CLEMENTE
2021 SOLD for $ 1.1M by Goldin
In 1952, Topps develops the modern baseball card with a clear and pleasant image and a detailed information on the back side. Further improvement comes in 1955 when the card goes in landscape format, superseding the portrait format which was practiced from the origins and enabling to dispose altogether the player's portrait, his image in action, his signature and the logo of the club.
1955 was the rookie year of two baseball stars, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. Clemente had just been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was honored with the Topps 1955-164 card. The Pirates were only the fifth team to break the barrier of color in the National League and the arrival of Clemente, Black and Puerto Rican, was likely to be contested.
The Topps 1955-164 card is extremely rare in very good condition because many copies are not well centered. Only one of them is graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA, meaning a perfect condition in every respect. It was sold for $ 430K by SCP Auctions on May 20, 2012, lot 11.
A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 470K by Goldin in October 2016, lot 21. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 480K by Heritage on February 20, 2016, lot 80113. and for $ 1.1M as lot 3 by Goldin on March 6, 2021.
Roberto Clemente devoted his off-seasons to charity. In December 1972 he participated in sending emergency relief after the Managua earthquake. Fearing that his act was diverted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, he accompanied the delivery. His plane, possibly too much loaded, disappeared at sea and his body was never found. He was such a great hero that his friends asked for his canonization.
1955 was the rookie year of two baseball stars, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. Clemente had just been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was honored with the Topps 1955-164 card. The Pirates were only the fifth team to break the barrier of color in the National League and the arrival of Clemente, Black and Puerto Rican, was likely to be contested.
The Topps 1955-164 card is extremely rare in very good condition because many copies are not well centered. Only one of them is graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA, meaning a perfect condition in every respect. It was sold for $ 430K by SCP Auctions on May 20, 2012, lot 11.
A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 470K by Goldin in October 2016, lot 21. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 480K by Heritage on February 20, 2016, lot 80113. and for $ 1.1M as lot 3 by Goldin on March 6, 2021.
Roberto Clemente devoted his off-seasons to charity. In December 1972 he participated in sending emergency relief after the Managua earthquake. Fearing that his act was diverted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, he accompanied the delivery. His plane, possibly too much loaded, disappeared at sea and his body was never found. He was such a great hero that his friends asked for his canonization.
1969 Topps JACKSON
2021 SOLD for $ 1M by Heritage
Only one 1969 Topps rookie card of Reggie Jackson was rated Gem Mint 10 by PSA. It was sold for $ 115K by SCP on May 12, 2012 and for $ 1M by Heritage on February 28, 2021, lot 80036. Jackson played in MLB from 1967 to 1987 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
The bidder is taking a risk. This card is not rare : 40 units have been graded Mint 9 by PSA. No one can prevent another Gem Mint coming out of a shoebox tomorrow.
This exceptional bid also pays tribute to a champion who has an strong personality and was in 1990 one of the modernizers of the trading card.
Upper Deck Company's ambition is to capture the baseball card market through spectacular innovations. Their first series was published in 1989. Reggie Jackson, recently retired from the game, appears on the brand's advertisements and participates in sponsored events.
All publishers like to add random bonuses in the boxes to increase the sales. In 1990 Upper Deck publishes a Reggie Jackson card of which he has the player sign 2,500 copies, 25 of which are also autographed with his nickname Mr October. The other cards of the same position bear an unnumbered facsimile signature. The launch ad is simple : Find the Reggie. The hobby is changed forever.
The bidder is taking a risk. This card is not rare : 40 units have been graded Mint 9 by PSA. No one can prevent another Gem Mint coming out of a shoebox tomorrow.
This exceptional bid also pays tribute to a champion who has an strong personality and was in 1990 one of the modernizers of the trading card.
Upper Deck Company's ambition is to capture the baseball card market through spectacular innovations. Their first series was published in 1989. Reggie Jackson, recently retired from the game, appears on the brand's advertisements and participates in sponsored events.
All publishers like to add random bonuses in the boxes to increase the sales. In 1990 Upper Deck publishes a Reggie Jackson card of which he has the player sign 2,500 copies, 25 of which are also autographed with his nickname Mr October. The other cards of the same position bear an unnumbered facsimile signature. The launch ad is simple : Find the Reggie. The hobby is changed forever.
1979 O-Pee-Chee GRETZKY
2020 SOLD for $ 1.3M by Heritage
O-Pee-Chee was a candy maker based in London, Ontario. The company entered the baseball and ice hockey trading cards market in 1934. In 1958 an agreement is concluded with the US company Topps for coordinated operations. Topps cards have an English back and O-Pee-Chee cards are bilingual.
Wayne Gretzky is hockey's super-champion, and his rookie cards published in 1979 by both companies are avidly sought after by collectors. The O-Pee-Chee is the rarest.
The text on the back of the card announces the future great career of the champion : he is "the best prospect to turn professional since Guy Lafleur".
Gretzky had entered the NHL before the legal age of that league for a conjunctural cause. He had played the 1978-1979 season as a professional at 17 with the WHA which was absorbed at the end of that season by the NHL. The WHA had no age limit.
The population of Wayne Gretzky's rookie cards in PSA supreme grade Gem Mint 10 is two units for the O-Pee-Chee and two for the Topps. Heritage lists one example of each in the online sale that ends on December 10, 2020.
The O-Pee-Chee gem mint had been sold for $ 94K by SCP Auctions on May 1, 2011 and for $ 465K by Goldin on August 4, 2016, lot 25. It was then the only O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie card known in that grade. It is estimated $ 1M by Heritage, lot 58423. The Topps is estimated $ 400K, lot 58422.
A sealed box of 48 packs of 14 1979 O-Pee-Chee cards each is estimated $ 75K, lot 58446.
In the same sale on December 11, a PSA Mint 9 of the same O-Pee-Chee is estimated $ 50K, lot 58747 and another sealed box is estimated $ 100K, lot 58861.
The results were as follows.
O-Pee-Chee Gem Mint sold for $ 1.3M
Topps Gem Mint sold for $ 720K
O-Pee-Chee Mint sold for $ 84K
sealed boxes sold for $ 114K and $ 250K
On May 27, 2021, Heritage reported that they brokered the other O-Pee-Chee gem mint card for $ 3.75M.
Wayne Gretzky is hockey's super-champion, and his rookie cards published in 1979 by both companies are avidly sought after by collectors. The O-Pee-Chee is the rarest.
The text on the back of the card announces the future great career of the champion : he is "the best prospect to turn professional since Guy Lafleur".
Gretzky had entered the NHL before the legal age of that league for a conjunctural cause. He had played the 1978-1979 season as a professional at 17 with the WHA which was absorbed at the end of that season by the NHL. The WHA had no age limit.
The population of Wayne Gretzky's rookie cards in PSA supreme grade Gem Mint 10 is two units for the O-Pee-Chee and two for the Topps. Heritage lists one example of each in the online sale that ends on December 10, 2020.
The O-Pee-Chee gem mint had been sold for $ 94K by SCP Auctions on May 1, 2011 and for $ 465K by Goldin on August 4, 2016, lot 25. It was then the only O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie card known in that grade. It is estimated $ 1M by Heritage, lot 58423. The Topps is estimated $ 400K, lot 58422.
A sealed box of 48 packs of 14 1979 O-Pee-Chee cards each is estimated $ 75K, lot 58446.
In the same sale on December 11, a PSA Mint 9 of the same O-Pee-Chee is estimated $ 50K, lot 58747 and another sealed box is estimated $ 100K, lot 58861.
The results were as follows.
O-Pee-Chee Gem Mint sold for $ 1.3M
Topps Gem Mint sold for $ 720K
O-Pee-Chee Mint sold for $ 84K
sealed boxes sold for $ 114K and $ 250K
On May 27, 2021, Heritage reported that they brokered the other O-Pee-Chee gem mint card for $ 3.75M.
1980 Collection of Topps Cards and Inserts
2022 SOLD for $ 1.44M by Goldin
The 1980 Topps set of basketball is made of 176 cards and 16 inserts. Each obverse has three segments. 264 different players are featured. The insert is a photo of one of the 16 league teams.
The most prestigious card highlighting Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson is the rookie card for both Bird and Johnson. 22 Bird-Erving-Johnson copies are graded GEM-MT 10 by PSA.
A collection was sold for $ 1.44M by Goldin on February 5, 2022, lot 1.
It is made of the complete set of 176 cards all graded GEM-MT 10 by PSA, a complete collection of the 16 inserts of which the PSA grade is 10 for 8 of them and Mint 9 for the other 8, plus a 132 card uncut sheet and an unopened wax pack in perfect condition that contains eight unrevealed cards and one insert.
The most prestigious card highlighting Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson is the rookie card for both Bird and Johnson. 22 Bird-Erving-Johnson copies are graded GEM-MT 10 by PSA.
A collection was sold for $ 1.44M by Goldin on February 5, 2022, lot 1.
It is made of the complete set of 176 cards all graded GEM-MT 10 by PSA, a complete collection of the 16 inserts of which the PSA grade is 10 for 8 of them and Mint 9 for the other 8, plus a 132 card uncut sheet and an unopened wax pack in perfect condition that contains eight unrevealed cards and one insert.
