Inside Story

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever produced. In 2022 the card sold at auction for $12.6 million, and even poorly-graded versions sell for six-figures.

The Rarity

The 1952 Topps set is one of the most important baseball card sets ever released. The Mickey Mantle card is the key card in this set and is card number #311. It’s part of the “high number series” (cards #311 to #407), which were released later in the year and are scarcer than the lower-numbered cards.

The initial print run of the 1952 Topps set was relatively small, as the company was a newcomer to the baseball card market. In addition, the 1952 Topps set faced distribution challenges. Many unopened packs were returned to the manufacturer and later dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. This resulted in a scarcity of high-grade cards from this set, including the Mantle rookie.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Features

The image on the card is a colorized black-and-white photograph of Mantle. He likely posed for the photo in 1951 during his rookie season. The colorization process was common for cards of that era.

The card includes Mickey Mantle’s signature; it’s a printed facsimile, not a real signature. This is an integral part of the card’s design and adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Card Value & Finds

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is one of the most valuable and sought-after cards in the hobby. The card’s value can vary widely based on its condition, with mint or near-mint examples commanding astronomical prices in the collector’s market.

Graded Examples: Due to its high value, many collectors have submitted their 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards for professional grading and authentication by services like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) or BGS (Beckett Grading Services). Graded cards with high grades (e.g., PSA 8 or PSA 9) are particularly valuable.

In the early 2010s, former Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford found a collection of rare, high-grade 1952 Topps cards, including several Mantle rookies. This “Whitey Ford Find” generated significant interest and led to the sale of several pristine Mantle rookie cards.

Significance of the Card

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is a symbol of baseball card collecting and holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and fans alike. Its rarity, historical significance, and association with one of baseball’s greatest legends make it a coveted piece of sports memorabilia.

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card has also transcended the world of sports collecting to become a pop culture icon. It is often featured in documentaries, books, and discussions about the history of baseball cards and collecting.

The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is one of the most iconic and sought-after baseball cards in the hobby.

Here’s Comes Upper Deck – And Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. made his Major League Baseball debut on April 3, 1989, at the age of 19. Upper Deck released its inaugural baseball card set that same year, making Griffey’s card one of the first cards produced with the new company’s hologram logo, which added an element of authenticity and prestige.

The Ken Griffey Jr. card is the very first card in the 1989 Upper Deck baseball set, which further adds to its significance. The first card in a set is often reserved for the most highly anticipated rookie or star player.

The 1989 Upper Deck set was known for its superior production quality. Upper Deck printed the cards on high-quality, thick cardstock. The use of glossy, UV coating gave them a premium look and feel compared to other cards of the time. Although Upper Deck’s hologram looked cool, it also served a purpose: It was there to combat counterfeiting. This made it one of the first trading cards to feature this security measure. This hologram, along with the card’s premium quality, added to its collectible value.

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Card Features

The card features a young Ken Griffey Jr. with a signature smile. This became one of his trademark expressions throughout his career. This image captured the youthful exuberance and charisma that endeared him to fans.

Ken Griffey Jr. posed for the photograph during a spring training game in 1988. The photographer, Walter Iooss Jr., captured the shot while Griffey was in the on-deck circle. Iooss is a renowned sports photographer, and his work added to the card’s allure.

While the primary 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the most famous, there are also variations. One example is the “UER” (Upper Deck Error Rookie) variation, which features a corrected birthdate on the back.

Card Value

Over the years, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card has remained extremely popular among collectors. Its value has fluctuated depending on the condition of the card. Mint or near-mint examples often fetch high prices in the secondary market. Collectors also covet autographed versions.

Due to its popularity and value, many collectors have sent their Griffey rookie cards for professional grading and authentication by services like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) or BGS (Beckett Grading Services). Graded cards with high grades (e.g., PSA 9 or PSA 10) often command a premium in the market.

Collectors can purchase an ungraded Griffey Jr. in excellent-mint condition for as low as $50-$100. A PSA 10 / Auto 10 has sold for $55,201, according to Cardbase. (That designation means the card is a perfect 10 and includes a gem mint 10 autograph.)

Lasting Impact

The 1989 Griffey rookie card is often cited as a catalyst for the baseball card collecting boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It attracted new collectors to the hobby and helped establish Upper Deck as a major player in the trading card industry.

The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card remains an enduring symbol of baseball card collecting and continues to be a coveted piece for collectors and fans of “The Kid.”