Mickey Mantle
The Holy Grail of Baseball Cards
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
New York Yankees • Card #311 • Second Series
$5.2M
Record Sale
PSA 9
Top Grade
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: The Holy Grail of Baseball Cards
The Iconic Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle, an American baseball legend, was born on October 20, 1931, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. From humble beginnings, Mantle became one of the most celebrated baseball players in history. He began his illustrious career with the New York Yankees in 1951 and played with them for 18 seasons until his retirement in 1968.
Over his career, Mantle became a 20-time All-Star, seven-time World Series champion, and three-time American League MVP. With 536 home runs under his belt, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
The History of the Card
In 1952, the Topps Chewing Gum Company introduced its first set of baseball cards. The release was a game-changer in the trading card industry, marking a departure from the small, tobacco-style cards that had previously dominated the market. The 1952 Topps baseball cards were larger, measuring 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, with colorful artwork and player statistics on the back.
The 1952 Topps set featured 407 cards, with Mickey Mantle's card being the most iconic and sought-after. The card features a youthful Mantle, donning his Yankees cap, with a bright blue sky behind him. The card's design, combined with Mantle's legendary status, has made the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle one of the most valuable and desirable cards in the hobby.
The Value of the Card
Over the years, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle has become the holy grail of baseball cards. Its value has steadily risen, driven by a combination of scarcity, historical significance, and Mantle's iconic status in baseball history.
The 1952 Topps set was released in two series, with the first series including cards numbered 1 to 310 and the second series featuring cards numbered 311 to 407. Mantle's card, number 311, was part of the second series, which was produced in lower quantities than the first.
In 1960, a Topps executive discovered a large number of unsold 1952 high-number cards in their warehouse. Instead of releasing them to the market, the company decided to dispose of them by dumping the cards into the Atlantic Ocean. This event significantly reduced the number of existing 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards.
Career Statistics
536
Home Runs
1,509
RBIs
.298
Batting Avg
20x
All-Star
7x
World Series
3x
AL MVP
Impact on the Industry
The popularity and value of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card have had a profound impact on the baseball card industry as a whole. The card's success has contributed to the growing demand for vintage baseball cards, particularly those from the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is much more than a simple piece of cardboard. It represents a moment in baseball history and a glimpse into the career of one of the sport's most iconic players. The card's rarity, condition, and historical significance have driven its value to astronomical heights, making it the holy grail of baseball cards.
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The Mantle Card
Graded, preserved, and priced at auction — the most valuable post-war baseball card in existence.
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Collect All 407 Cards
The 1952 Topps set is the most iconic baseball card collection ever produced. From Andy Pafko (#1) to Eddie Mathews (#407), every card tells a story of baseball's golden era.
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