In the realm of baseball memorabilia, a truly unique item has surfaced – a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card unlike any other. This distinctive piece, now listed by eBay seller Greg Morris, has been dramatically altered from its original state, presumably as part of a vintage scrapbook creation. Despite its far-from-mint condition, its rarity is drawing considerable attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Beckett Grading has authenticated this Mantle card, which has seen extensive trimming, effectively eliminating much of its iconic background and leaving only minimal portions of its bottom and right borders intact. The wear and creasing visible on what remains of the card hint at its once-beloved status before it underwent its drastic transformation.
The back of the card presents challenges of its own, with adhesive residue covering much of the original text, indicating perhaps a lack of foresight into the card's eventual collectible value.
Beckett has labeled this piece Authentic/Altered. Despite its unique path through the hobby, having been authenticated back in 2017, it recently entered Morris's possession via a collection purchased from another auction house.
In a marketplace familiar with low-grade Mantle cards achieving impressive sale prices, this "Half Mantle" is particularly notable for its singular modifications. As the auction proceeds, this variant could potentially command a price in the tens of thousands, despite its condition.
This card is not the first Mantle of its kind to come to light; a similarly adjusted Mantle card was showcased by CSG/CGC last year, presenting a somewhat better condition but also missing significant portions of its original border and featuring a "skinned" back.
Despite the card's unusual presentation, the active bidding process emphasizes the lasting charm of Mickey Mantle, proving that the baseball legend's appeal persists even in the most atypical presentations. To discover how much this remarkable Mantle card will sell for, enthusiasts are encouraged to follow the auction's progress.