Sept 2004 SMR Article

Buccaneer

Sorry ahead of time if this cause any hardfeelings. I just got done looking through the Sept 2004 issue of SMR and have reached the opinion of its near-worthlessness. The selective PR, LeaderBoard and the SMR can be reached online so that's 105 wasted pages. Every once in a while, there's a good article (I still liked the Acowa's 67 one) but I found Rich Dyer's 3-1/2 page article on "Gems" to be a waste of space. All I got from the article was that we could have found really good raw vintage cards during the 1990s and that there may be a few left out there in Mint condition (to which I reply, 'no foolin'). Sorry if Rich is a forum participant but frankly, I've read much better and more interesting posts here in this forum than what was printed in that publication. Vlad's article was ok but I'm not a fan of recent players. Kranepool's article was pretty good and the autograph articles are always good even though I care nothing for autographs. But can I not see those same articles in PSA Insider? Also, can there be an option to save on renewal by not getting the SMR magazine?

Wayne8348

I thought that Rich's article was fantastic! I think the smr is something you really enjoy getting for a while but it soon gets old. I rarely even look at it anymore except for articles written by registry members.


Wayne

Virtualizard

I just realized that I haven't received an issue of SMR since about April. I guess I haven't missed much.

JEB.

jrdolan

Well, it comes with the membership. I don't understand why every card I bid on ends above SMR and ever card I sell ends below it, but that's neither here nor there. Personally, I'd like to get more submissions with the membership instead of the magazine and the tote bag.

pandrews

<< <i> All I got from the article was that we could have found really good raw vintage cards during the 1990s and that there may be a few left out there in Mint condition (to which I reply, 'no foolin'). Sorry if Rich is a forum participant but frankly, >>



lol.. i knew the end to every scenario he described after the 1st couple paragraphs.. it was find, after find, after find.. and guess what? "its now in a PSA 9 holder, as well!" .. i also had a hard time seeing how it relates to todays market, because as you said, most of those finds were in the 1990's.. of course there are still "gems" to be found that havent been graded yet.. but it was MUCH easier to find "ungraded" top condition cards in the early-mid 90's.. THEY WERE ALL UNGRADED!

PSARich

Sorry you didn't like the article Buccaneer. I enjoyed writing it and did so after Joe Orlando posted on the message boards that he would welcome articles from members for the SMR. Actually, it takes more work than one might imagine. I also wrote it because I often hear collectors lament that they can't find nice vintage cards in raw condition anymore. Just to clarify, many of those cards pictured in the article were obtained at shows in the last 4-5 years. I would estimate during that time span I've obtained a couple hundred 1960's and early 1970's raw cards that I've had graded PSA 9, and also many PSA 8's.

I was only able to spend a day and a half at the National this year, but came across a dealer with a $2 each 1950's vintage baseball box. I bought about 30 1957 series one cards ($9-$10 nm book price) that were in yellowed holders, which were originally pockets from old nine-pocket plastic card pages. A couple have a good shot a 9 grades and the rest are solid NM-MINT cards, simply beautiful. I also found a dealer selling 1953-1956 baseball at 30% book. I found about 35 cards in his stock that are near-mint+ to near mint/mint. Here and there I picked up some nice singles I needed in NM-MINT for 50% book or less. Plus I got to admire all those sweet graded vintage cards I can't afford.

I consider myself just an average collector with a limited amount of money to spend on the hobby. I depend on searches for those ungraded "gems" to enhance my collection and also provide me with material to grade for the purpose of trading or selling on ebay. My article was designed to encourage collectors that you can still find great stuff at shows. If a few readers enjoy the article and are encouraged to keep searching for nice ungraded vintage, I'm happy!

As for the SMR, like most magazines of its type there is much repetition considering the price guide component and dealer advertising. Sometimes the articles are of more interest to me than other times. However, I still look forward to its arrival each month.

Buccaneer

<< <i>I was only able to spend a day and a half at the National this year, but came across a dealer with a $2 each 1950's vintage baseball box. I bought about 30 1957 series one cards ($9-$10 nm book price) that were in yellowed holders, which were originally pockets from old nine-pocket plastic card pages. A couple have a good shot a 9 grades and the rest are solid NM-MINT cards, simply beautiful. I also found a dealer selling 1953-1956 baseball at 30% book. I found about 35 cards in his stock that are near-mint+ to near mint/mint. Here and there I picked up some nice singles I needed in NM-MINT for 50% book or less. Plus I got to admire all those sweet graded vintage cards I can't afford.
>>



Thanks for your response, Rich. It is my opinion that what you experienced above would have been much more pertinent and relateable in an article instead of going on and on about finds in the 1990s (which I assume many here can share as to how it was in the pre-grading days). But I find the above experience also interesting in comparing to others here who spent 3-4 days at the National without finding any decent raw cards, esp. not at full book. But then again, I guess you know how to find them.

Here's an (not new) idea for PSA. How about an option to get 2 extra cards graded upon renewal instead of the SMR magazine?

uniship

I thought the article was great. If you don't like it - STOP READING IT. Geesch.

Buccaneer

I think the point was that we are paying for this out of our membership fees and to me, this article/issue was the last straw in publically asking if we can save money on not getting the SMR.

WinPitcher

incredible............

highend

i actually liked the " gems " article. i've rarely been that lucky in terms of searching out raw mint 9 material but it's refreshing to hear about "regular guy" rather than MR MINT or MASTRO finding them.

COSTANZA

Mantlefan

I wrote an article for a recent SMR [1964 Philly FB]. It was a lot of work. Your article was great Rich. To characterize it as a "waste of space" is crude and unfeeling.

67standup

I sort of see where Buccaneer is going with this, and sort of agree. My "gripe" is not about this month's feature article(or any other), but the space devoted to SMR and POP reports. The full color ads about great buy prices and wonderful customer service are simply a necessity that generates revenue.


The selective PR, LeaderBoard and the SMR can be reached online so that's 105 wasted pages

WinPitcher

I wrote an article for a recent SMR [1964 Philly FB]. It was a lot of work. Your article was great Rich. To characterize it as a "waste of space" is crude and unfeeling.



i agree

1420sports

the space devoted to SMR and POP reports

is entirely too much.

interchanges

To me that goofy leader board has to go. Like we need to see that every month.

If anything, show who's #2 on these sets.

theBobs

I just wish I received more than 2 issues in the last year. Can't complain about it if it never arrives...

onlychild

Unfortunately card collectors are a diverse group. I didn't necessarily connect with the football article last month but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Same holds true with my Bell Brand article, many just could not connect. We write so that others may enjoy a certain expertise and gain knowledge of each others specialty. I say don't complain, try to write one about your passion for the hobby. It's not as easy as it may seem.

Frankly, I get irritated with all the auction ads but I deal with it. That's what generates revenue.

Kevin

Buccaneer

To have said that Rich's article was a waste of space was wrong, I apologize. While it was this issue that finally provoked me to post about it, the only valid point was that we should not be forced to pay for a yearly subscription to SMR.

stevek

<<I was only able to spend a day and a half at the National this year, but came across a dealer with a $2 each 1950's vintage baseball box. I bought about 30 1957 series one cards ($9-$10 nm book price) that were in yellowed holders, which were originally pockets from old nine-pocket plastic card pages. A couple have a good shot a 9 grades and the rest are solid NM-MINT cards, simply beautiful. I also found a dealer selling 1953-1956 baseball at 30% book. I found about 35 cards in his stock that are near-mint+ to near mint/mint. Here and there I picked up some nice singles I needed in NM-MINT for 50% book or less. Plus I got to admire all those sweet graded vintage cards I can't afford.>>

Finding possible PSA 9's 1957 Topps in a box for $2 each at a national card show. That is an "incredible" story.