Buying a graded rookie card, then removing it from the slab to be autographed?

Dgoldfe13

Basically as the title reads. I have an opportunity to buy Ladainian Tomlinson RC, PSA 10. I am also going to see him and get his autograph. Would it be logical to buy the card, remove it from the slab and get it signed? Then get it slabbed again?

DBesse27

Yes, I and many other collectors do this all the time.

Dgoldfe13

Thanks. I thought it would be smart, but I just wanted to hear it from someone else.

PNWcollector

As you hand him the card, make sure to say “Hey LT- that’s a PSA 10, don’t ding my corners!”

doubledragon

I agree, make sure to ask him to be careful when he signs it, a lot of athletes are wreckless when they sign cards. They'll grab the card, flip it over and try to read what the card says about them etc.

maddux69

Depending on the cost of a PSA 10, I would crack open a 9 and play it safe.

artee

just be warned that when you resubmit, even w/ previous flip in hand, it does not guarantee you'll get a 10 again.

personally, i would leave the 10 as is. i'd search ebay for psa blue flips for a card that will grade high and just submit that for grading since the auto is already verified and been paid for.

perhaps just grab a raw card outta the pc and get him to sign that for you in person.

(unless his psa 10 rc isn't all that expensive to begin with)

JoeBanzai

It kind of depends on a few things you haven't told us;

Is your "thing" autographed rookie cards and you don't care too much about a PSA 10 or do you "need" a PSA 10 that's autographed?

Is the card you have "special" to you or would any rookie issue be fine?

Are you poor, like me? Do you have plenty of cash, and can afford to lose money if the card loses a bunch of value? Some of his rookie cards go for $500.00, some for $10.00.

Even if you get your card signed without doing any damage to it, the odds of it coming back a 10 are probably less than 50/50.

There are some beautiful PSA 10 autographed cards on ebay right now you can get for around $150.00-250.00 BIN.

Personally, I don't like the autos that are on the foil sticker.

How much does he charge to sign your card? Is it a big deal for you to get it signed in person? Make sure your card will show his autograph well and have the correct kind of pen if you want the sig in a certain color.

I had a Mike Modano rookie card autographed in person and he didn't have any sharpies on hand that the color showed up very well. I should have brought a silver or gold "paint pen" with me and that card would be beautiful.

PSA charges for both the grading and the grading/authentication of your card once you get it signed, it's not cheap!

I would just buy this one, great photo and auto (no silver egg shaped foil sticker......yuck);

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-UD-Graded-Ladainian-Tomlinson-Auto-Rookie-397-500-PSA-10-Gem-Mint-CBF/162933546715?hash=item25ef989edb:g:nPsAAOSw7wxan3xm

I would love to hear some follow up from you.

Good luck on whatever you decide!

coinspacks

What if he just signed the outside of the flip?

Is that a no no?

DBesse27

Agree with what others have said, that if you crack out a 10, once handled it will probably come back a 9. Factor that into your decision. For this reason, though I crack out many cards for signings, I almost always crack 9's.

Dgoldfe13

I bought this card but for $90.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LaDainian-Tomlinson-2001-Topps-Finest-132-Rookie-Card-Refractor-PSA-10-Gem-Mint/293320276466?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

There was a PSA 9 and a BGS 9.5 for about $75-80. I figured get the PSA 10 and negotiated with the seller. So from my understanding from many of you. Is to just keep the PSA 10 and maybe buy a 9 and crack open the 9.

GreenSneakers

I buy new raw cards for in person autos. For me (my kids) it is a memory of the experience, not the grade. As others have said, once handing the card to the player, I promise you a corner is coming backed dinged. Nine times out of ten if in a casual setting. 7 out of ten if a paid signing event. I choose not to go through that stress and just hand them a nice but not awesome raw card.

Dgoldfe13

@GreenSneakers said:
I buy new raw cards for in person autos. For me (my kids) it is a memory of the experience, not the grade. As others have said, once handing the card to the player, I promise you a corner is coming backed dinged. Nine times out of ten if in a casual setting. 7 out of ten if a paid signing event. I choose not to go through that stress and just hand them a nice but not awesome raw card.

Ok, so just search ebay for cards that are not graded?

JakeR2234

You can always cut out a majority of a card saver where you want him to sign to help protect the card and corners.

GreenSneakers

@Dgoldfe13 said:

Ok, so just search ebay for cards that are not graded?

I also like Sportlots, especially for modern or non superstar vintage

@JakeR2234 said:
You can always cut out a majority of a card saver where you want him to sign to help protect the card and corners.

I once had one guy sign the card saver nevertheless.

DBesse27

@Dgoldfe13 said:

@GreenSneakers said:
I buy new raw cards for in person autos. For me (my kids) it is a memory of the experience, not the grade. As others have said, once handing the card to the player, I promise you a corner is coming backed dinged. Nine times out of ten if in a casual setting. 7 out of ten if a paid signing event. I choose not to go through that stress and just hand them a nice but not awesome raw card.

Ok, so just search ebay for cards that are not graded?

Unless you plan to get it graded after and the final grade matters to you. In that case I’d crack a 9. If you’re not submitting it for grading after the signing, buy a nice raw card, have it signed, and call it a day.

swish54

Something else to consider on getting newer cards signed is you probably should prep them. Meaning using an eraser or baby powder to "dull" the surface so the sharpie doesn't bubble. I would assume by doing so, you would definitely get a lower grade since the surface would be dulled. Using a Staedtler vs. sharpie is about the only way to get around not having to prep the surface, but those are more expensive and not all signings have them.

Dgoldfe13

@swish54 said:
Something else to consider on getting newer cards signed is you probably should prep them. Meaning using an eraser or baby powder to "dull" the surface so the sharpie doesn't bubble. I would assume by doing so, you would definitely get a lower grade since the surface would be dulled. Using a Staedtler vs. sharpie is about the only way to get around not having to prep the surface, but those are more expensive and not all signings have them.

I am waiting for the card to arrive, but should I be looking into something like this?

https://smile.amazon.com/STAEDTLER-Garden-Marker-Permanent-Outdoor/dp/B01FOG9KWI/ref=sr_1_26?crid=23ZF3AHEMZTW8&keywords=staedtler+permanent+pens&qid=1578534871&sprefix=Staedtler+per,aps,211&sr=8-26

JoeBanzai

@swish54 said:
Something else to consider on getting newer cards signed is you probably should prep them. Meaning using an eraser or baby powder to "dull" the surface so the sharpie doesn't bubble. I would assume by doing so, you would definitely get a lower grade since the surface would be dulled. Using a Staedtler vs. sharpie is about the only way to get around not having to prep the surface, but those are more expensive and not all signings have them.

Decide ahead of time the color that will work and bring your own pen!

swish54

@Dgoldfe13 said:

@swish54 said:
Something else to consider on getting newer cards signed is you probably should prep them. Meaning using an eraser or baby powder to "dull" the surface so the sharpie doesn't bubble. I would assume by doing so, you would definitely get a lower grade since the surface would be dulled. Using a Staedtler vs. sharpie is about the only way to get around not having to prep the surface, but those are more expensive and not all signings have them.

I am waiting for the card to arrive, but should I be looking into something like this?

https://smile.amazon.com/STAEDTLER-Garden-Marker-Permanent-Outdoor/dp/B01FOG9KWI/ref=sr_1_26?crid=23ZF3AHEMZTW8&keywords=staedtler+permanent+pens&qid=1578534871&sprefix=Staedtler+per,aps,211&sr=8-26

This one is the one you want.
https://www.amazon.com/STD3183-Lumocolor-Permanent-Marker-Point/dp/B000GPI5RO/ref=sr_1_22?keywords=staedtler+blue+pen&qid=1578540322&sr=8-22

Dgoldfe13

Thanks for the help everyone!