Charm City 1952 Mantle Find! Every 1952 Topps Baseball #311 Mickey Mantle rookie has a story to tell and the offered example is no different. Until early September 2018, the offered high number resided in a tightly packed 1950s shoebox with several hundred other baseball/non-sports cards. The period container remained untouched for several decades and was filed away in a humble home in a working class Baltimore neighborhood. When the home owner passed away this summer, a “junk removal” crew was hired and the subsequent clean-out revealed the legendary contents. In an ultimate case of “finders keepers,” the new owner selected Huggins & Scott as the appropriate auction house for his treasure.

Graded VG+ 3.5 by PSA. The offered 1952 Topps Baseball #311 Mickey Mantle rookie high number is a monumental proposition for those pursuing the iconic set. The front is crease-free with deep and penetrating surface colors. “The Mick’s” flesh tones exhibit perfect registration and are framed by only limited corner wear and off-white edges. Despite moderately errant centering, the overall eye appeal of this American classic is not compromised. While the reverse also displays askew centering, the reverse which touts Mantle’s prospect status is wax stain-free. The “laces face left” back variation is otherwise bright and extremely attractive.