Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 12:41pm

Type 2,  Not for me I think. It has "all" the tells for Type 2 on both sides but the printing looks quite choppy. Wear on corners and edges doesn't look natural. Upper right ink looks like it was hit with sanpaper. Left edge appears oddly worn. Others will know more. A black light would be good to spot "restoration". Same with a good power glass for the printing. I am not convinced yet. Should we be seeing dots from here? And what is to the left of the logo on the Obverse? From what I understand values of T1 and T2 are the same assuming authenticity and identical condition.

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Permalink Reply by Steve on December 27, 2021 at 1:26pm

The whole thing looks unnatural.  There is no natural wear to the card. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 1:31pm

Yup. Not so much overcooked but incorrect. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:00pm

Hello Dustin,

This 1952 Mantle card site was useful. There are several I read to try and answer your question. I have never really looked at a baseball card - apart from throwing and flipping them 40 years ago in school. So much for the corners on those cards!

From what I read the 1951 Bowman card seems cool.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Rouse on December 27, 2021 at 2:07pm

Thanks Eric, but even with the help of that site, I cannot tell for sure with this one. 

I have seen quite a few authentic Mantles in my lifetime, have been collecting for a while, and it looked good to me. The colours are quite convincing. The back does not look like the backs that reprints have. 

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Rouse on December 27, 2021 at 2:08pm

By the way, for all those who are questioning the wear, an authentic card can be altered, so it does not really answer the question of whether it is authentic or not.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:10pm

So it can be worth even less...

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Rouse on December 27, 2021 at 2:13pm

There is still quite a lot of value in an altered poor condition 52 Mantle if it is authentic.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:25pm

Yes. I know.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:23pm

Of course it can be altered. That is true of every collectible I can think of. If you use a black light and it reveals restoration work that might put one a step closer to authenticity.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:19pm

That was one link - there are several sites to read with a Google search. 've been dealing with vintage paper and prints of many sorts for 32 years. It is true I am into vintage Hollywood photographs and signatures but that wear does not appear natural to me after reading those sites and looking at the many examples they provide. See what others say of course, especially regarding the print quality. Maybe Steve can add to his observation as well.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 27, 2021 at 2:29pm

Steve helped with his knowledge when you posted that fake Shoeless Joe ball - maybe he or Terrier or Christopher Williams can help here as well. Maybe reach out and send a PM or two?

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