Shopping for a 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson RC card, Here are Three (3) Examples. Which do you Like?
mintonlypls
Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭✭✭
PSA certification images are used for comparison...
mint_only_pls
1
Comments
There are three (3) print roller marks on the PSA-2. Centering off in both directions. Little toning leading to bright colors.
Nice centering side-to-side on the PSA-3...but off top-to-bottom with a print mark in the white top border.
PSA-4 has the best corners...has nice centering side-to-side, but off top-to-bottom. Scattered extraneous print in yellow background. Little toning leading to bright colors.
Opinions on the three (3) cards, please. Thanks in advance for your opinions...
Overall I prefer the VG3. Less distractions. And I like the solid,rich, deeper yellow background. The 2 has weak field color and as noted a dirty border. The 4 has the field distraction marks. On the 3 the t/b centering is such that I could live with it considering a lack of imperfections other than the top border one as noted.
VG 3
Andy
VG4 -
Bolder colors, better centering and overlookable print vs. the print on the borders of the VG3
sjjs28@comcast.net
Collector of 1964 Topps Stand Ups, 1965 Embossed, 1968 Topps Game and 1969 Topps Decals
Registered Sets: 1964 Stand Ups, 1965 Embossed, 1968 Topps Game, 1969 Topps Decals
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1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
Monte - if it was me I would go with the 4. The first one the roller mark is too distracting, and the 3 the black mark is the same. If I am spending money on one I am not settling, and the PsA 4 would fit best in your current collection since all of your cards are high end for the grade. Hope this helps.
KC
I like the 4. The print marks on the 3 really grab my eye while the ones on the 4 are not quite so noticeable.
4 best overall eye appeal.
It's close, but I'd grab the VG 3. I'd rather have the print marks in the border instead of the yellow background field.
I would take the 4 - find the print marks on the white border more distracting than on the yellow background. The color on the 2 makes it my least favorite.
4
i would go with the 3. the image and background yellow is best of the 3 cards listed. the print on the yellow background of the 4 is too distracting to me.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I like the 4 best. Centering and corners are the first thing a always look at first. The corners are better. The t/b centering wouldn't bother me as much as as s/s would.
I would just hold out for a better card. Everyone has pointed out all the flaws in those three. None are a superior example for the grade.
I would pick the 3.
4 I like the image and a solid Sharp square card for just a 4 and the runner up is the 2
4
NFL: Buffalo Bills & Green Bay Packers
Call me crazy, but I like the 2. I looked at the bigger images of the cards on eBay. I don't like the 4 because the portrait is too red, which I feel obscures Robinson's face, especially his eyes. I don't like the 3 because of the toning and because the color seems too rich as well. The 2 is a very clear and bright image and also looks cleaner on the higher res eBay pic.
I am a big fan of strong color, but I also like to determine what the "correct" or intended color seems to be, usually by comparing a bunch of examples on eBay. Sometimes cards with vivid colors are actually too heavy on yellow, magenta, etc., and it can give an unnatural look. Even though it is pale compared to the 3 and 4, I think the 2 seems to be the most natural and I am guessing is closest to what Leaf intended. I feel relaxed when I look at it. Great card!
Assuming the back is clean, I like the 4. Absolutely not the 2. I can't live with the print mark on the top border of the 3 either.
PSA-4 is sold…next up.
2nd one...
Maybe...or as one suggested w/three agrees...wait for a better one to come along.
Thanks everyone for his or her input! I think the final tally was PSA-2 (1), PSA-3 (7) and PSA-4 (10).
My budget for this card is $10-$20k...so my ceiling is a PSA-5 with a floor at a PSA-2 (exceptional for the assigned grade). Recent sales of 3s ($10.7k), 4s ($14.5k) and 5s ($19.5k). Finding an exceptional copy for the assigned grade might add $5k...to these prices. So...a PSA-5 would have to be an average 5.
I started in the 1980s...as a corner guy, then with time realized the importance of centering as well as bold colors. If a card can check these boxes, then you have a nice card. Looking for a mid-grade copy of the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson...I realize that the card will have flaws...and might not check all these boxes. If the card does...then print issues (possibly significant) or creases might be introduced.
Little late to the party but I agree with rainbow_rim that the PSA 2 example has the correct coloring as the coloring on PSA 3 and 4 examples shown above are a little oversaturated (the yellow in the background should be a bright, flat yellow and Robinson's face should look like a slightly colorized b&w picture and not have too red of a tint).
Also, keep in mind the copyright date on the back of the Leaf Jackie is actually "1949" and, at least in my opinion, the '49 Bowman Jackie should also be considered a rookie card of equal importance (that is, unless, one considers the '47 Bond Bread Portrait Jackie's true rookie card but that's another discussion).
That said, not sure if you already have a '49 Bowman Jackie but one of those can currently be had for quite a bit less and doesn't typically have all the centering/color/focus issues as the Leaf so finding a nice looking lower grade '49 Bowman example should be easier and cheaper if simply looking to add a Jackie RC to the collection. Regardless, both are great cards so you can't go wrong either way. . .
Thanks for the time and good luck with your quest!
Kory
Last night….I looked closely at both the 3 and 4. The 3 is less red-toned than the 4…with the 2 showing slight red toning ( which I agree is the intended coloration by Leaf). On the 4…the collar and ear have a red periphery…absent on both the 2 and 3. Still…the 2 with three (3) print roller marks is NOT eye appealing.
IMO, I'd hold out, be patient and search for a high end 5..... even if it means increasing the "budget". Get what you really want.
I based my comments on the PSA 2 on the seller's high res image, which looks a lot cleaner and makes the roller marks appear less prominent than the image at the top of this thread. To me, they are acceptable given the overall freshness and vibrancy of the card.
Overall, I agree that you should hold out for a better example, though you started this thread with 3 of the nicest ones out of the 36 available on eBay, so it might be a wait. Good luck with the search!
Just took a look at the eBay listing for the PSA 2 and, to be completely honest, based on my experience with the Leaf Jackie I think going with the PSA 2 is a no-brainer among the three examples provided.
That said, yes, it has roller marks but, as mentioned earlier, they honestly don't seem to look that bad in the high-resolution eBay image and don't seem to interfere at all with his face. I'd also be willing to bet the marks aren't that noticeable in-hand and would be outweighed by the card's outstanding color, brightness, and crispness of the image anyway as it's incredibly rare to find all three of those qualities together on any '48/'49 Leaf card.
Also, the centering on the PSA 2 seems to pretty good to me actually to the point where -- centering-wise -- this is probably on the higher-end of all Leaf Jackie examples out there. . .
Anyway, just my two cents -- again, good luck with the search no matter which route you choose!
Wow farmboy27, I just saw your Leaf Robinson on the most valuable thread - a beautiful example!
If you can be patient, you may want to wait for some better examples. Was just looking at the latest Heritage auction and there are 3 of this card in 4 or lower condition. Seems like they pop up reasonably often in this grade.
But also, everybody has their things that are deal killers. For me, the major print issues or maybe the rubber band impacting the paint or warping the card, I just dont think I can get past that. Would hard for me look at and appreciate. May not matter as much for you. There are things I can deal with that wont work for others. Best of luck finding the right Jackie for you.
I just saw it too!🥳
That is the high quality type of card mintonly should hold out for in my opinion. Beautiful card farmboy.
I'd pass on all 3 and hunt a centered example.