There’s a new record price for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 (NM/MT). Heritage Auctions is offering one its newly opened catalog and bidding quickly soared into six figures. It currently sits at $440,000. With the 20% buyer’s premium tacked on, the price lifts to $528,000, which represents the highest price ever paid for a ’52 Mantle in that grade. The auction still has nearly four weeks to run.
The previous record was set in 2015 when Heritage sold one for $525,800. The company sold another last year for $501,900. A third card sold through PWCC Auctions for $485,100 in 2015.
By comparison, three ’52 Mantle cards in 8 grade sold between December of 2008 and May of 2012, all for between $71,000 and $80,000.
New Hall of Famer Tim Raines is making his first autograph show appearance since being elected. He’ll sign at TriStar’s Houston Show on Sunday, Feb. 12. Prices start at $79. That’s about double what he was before getting the Cooperstown nod from the writers.
Long-time dealer Rich Albersheim has joined PSA/DNA as a full-time autograph authenticator. He’s the third major autograph dealer to join the company over the past few months since the departure of Steve Grad. Bill Corcoran and Kevin Keating are also examining signatures for the company.
Big League Cards in Oshkosh, WI, has been around since the mid-1990s, making it one of the older shops in the Upper Midwest. Located less than two hours from Milwaukee and just an hour south of Green Bay, the shop has had plenty of sports collectors fans visit over the years, but owner Brian Burgert says he’ll be closing at the end of February.
He spoke with The Northwestern about the decision.
You’ll find a mix of Cubs, Sox and Cardinals fans at the annual Quincy (IL) Mall show. This year’s event was held over the weekend with dealers and collectors from around the Midwest buying and selling. Former Cardinals Ted Simmons and Scott Spiezio were the autograph guests.
This was the 29th annual show, making it one of the longest continually running sports collectible events in the country. WGEM-TV was there.
What’s the hobby impact on this year’s Super Bowl? I talked about it with Kelsey Schroyer from GTS and you can read our email chat here.