someone was building '52 Topps in GAI

NickM

179 cards from 1952 Topps graded by GAI

The Spahn in GAI 8, which is pictured looks to be too far o/c top to bottom to get an 8 from PSA. I can't say I'm impressed with Mastronet's scans.

Nick

mikeschmidt

Well -- I think that this is a dealer more than anything who submitted these cards -- however, I have heard rumours of a major collector who has been somewhat disappointed with PSA's grading standards in the past eight or nine months, and who was considering all future submissions with GAI.

It is difficult to imagine that any one collector could have a huge impact on the hobby -- but it is possible that some ripples would occur. Not that it is that important -- I think it is fully independent of this auction lot.

At any rate -- The Spahn card looks suficciently within the 70/30 guideline for PSA 8's, in my humble opinion.

gemint

That would be a foolish move if they did switch to GAI. I bookmarked some GAI commons a few weeks back, like 1954 and 1955 GAI 8s. I couldn't believe it when the auctions ended. One didn't get one bid at $0.54! Of course there was a reserve on the lot but I thought someone would at least bid $5 or something.

If I ever moved away from PSA, I'd go to SGC.

purelyPSA

Gemint - what other choice would there be besides SGC? Any other card slabbed by a company that's not PSA or SGC would be immediately suspect.

RedHeart54

I agree. We're too far into grading for another company to obtain substantial legitimacy.

RedHeart54

...and I don't care WHO runs the company.

JMAC

Hey everyone...I wanted to chime in here with some of my recent experieces with GAI graded cards. First of all, I do collect 1952 Topps Baseball cards. Recently, I purchased 3 high-numbers and the Billy Martin rookie card from the 52 Topps baseball set that were graded by GAI. I also purchased a couple of 1972 Topps Football, also graded by GAI. I removed all 6 cards from their GAI holders and submitted them to PSA. Only one out of the six cards retained the same grade by PSA. The other 5 all dropped one full grade point. Yes, the Billy Martin rookie card went from a GAI 7 to a PSA 6! OUCH!!! I have seen dozens of other cards in GAI holders, all sports and years. I have to admit most are overgraded. I just wanted to pass that along in case you're thinking about investing money in GAI grading...your cards deserve better than that! GAI, so far, has been way over hyped!

Just my humble opinion...

Knock Knock!

Who's there?

Steve Rocci

Steve Rocci who?

EXACTLY!!!

gaspipe26

I had the reverse happen. I bought 10 GAI cards and cracked them out and resubmitted to PSA. Out of the 10 , 3 upgraded a point and 7 stayed the same. Go figure. I will not say anything bad about GAI, Steve, Mike and Mary have always been very good to me. I hope the succeed.

waitilltheytrytosell

Success in crossing over any card graded by another grading company has everything to do with how you select the cards for crossover. This applies to GAI, SGC, BGS, BCCG, PRO, MAP, or whatever. There are good people putting good cards in each holder. There are also people who know what they can get away with, sliding things by in some of those holders. Most of the time there is a good reason for cards being in other types of holders. If you go out and "blindly" buy these cards for crossover, you will have very poor crossover success. If you have the opportunity to handle and look at the card in person, and choose only cards that you feel confident will crossover, based on your abilities you will have great success. There are "PSA equivalent" cards out there in those holders, you just have a lot of cards that won't work out to wade through. If you're good, you can make/save a lot of money. If you're not, it's a good game to stay out of.

Vargha

To piggyback on those thoughts, an expert could do so in-person only. You cannot do it off eBay from scans posted on the Internet.

gaspipe26

Agreed,
I bought the 10 cards in person. I selected them for crossover in mind.