grading standards

Mac53

Hey, I'm brand new to card collecting, so be gentle. I have a couple of what appear to be 1909 Philadelphia Caramel cards. The Sports Collectors Digest says that they are supposed to be "approximately" 1-1/2 inches wide. My cards aren't quite this wide. I'm a little confused about what it means when they say "approximately" since that doesn't come up very often in the card descriptions. If my cards don't measure 1-1/2 inches wide, does that automatically mean they've been trimmed and make me SOL? I assume there's some acceptable variance allowed on measurement, but I can't find anything on an industry standard about it. Does anyone know anything about this? I keep thinking I'm going to hang myself while trying to learn the ropes (my wife says that if I buy one more baseball card she's going to leave . . . ). Thanks.

A761506

Many pre-war collectors submit Caramels to SGC, as they feel that SGC is more knowledgable about pre-war cards in general. PSA certainly gets their fair-share of submissions as well, but this is one area that SGC is known for. Knowledge of the issue is extremely important when it comes to grading pre-war cards, as to be able to determine variances as you mentioned. Quality control was certainly far from perfect in 1909, so stating an exact size would be next to impossible. Depending on how "undersized" your cards are, there is a chance that they were indeed issued that size, or they were trimmed. Someone familiar with that issue would be able to examine the card and determine whether it was issued like that or if it was trimmed. Unlike cards issued in the 50's and beyond, when cutting quality was improved and there is little variance in the card sizes... the rule of thumb is that the grading companies allow up to 1/32". But that rule cannot be applied to all issues, especially certain pre-war issues. Post some scans if you can.

WinPitcher

Your brand new to card collecting and the wife is already threatening to leave?
Wait till the closet is filled with your cards and thier is no room for all her shoes.

welcome to the board!

TCC

<< <i>Your brand new to card collecting and the wife is already threatening to leave?
Wait till the closet is filled with your cards and thier is no room for all her shoes.
>>



Thought the same thing... He's doomed.

I don't think those threats started in my house until I filled an entire room up. Now, we moved and I took over the entire finished attic upstairs.

-Bob

Mac53

Well, the whole conversation went something like Q: "What do you mean we can't make the car payment this month?" A: "Well, dear, there were these 20 Tony Gwynn rookie cards . . . " It's good to know that this is a common problem. Maybe someone should write a book: How To Buy Cards Without Your Wife Finding Out About It. My standard reply, "There are worse habits, you know," seems to be getting a little thin.

wolfbear

Mac53 - when discussing cards with your wife, never, ever, refer to them as purchases.
Only speak of them as investments, and as something to leave behind for your grandchildren to remember you by.

Knuckles

Mac53

Very impressive! (I'm still struggling with getting a card scan attached to a message) You'll make a fortune on ebay. Just give me a piece of the action.

Stone193

Mac53
Welcome! A76 has given you some great info! Now, on the wife thing...I never lie to my wife, even when I'm not telling her the truth!

your friend
Mike

Stone193

Knuckles
Great job on the photoshop!!

Steve and Wolf

I hear ya!

Knuckles

TCC

<< <i>Well, the whole conversation went something like Q: "What do you mean we can't make the car payment this month?" A: "Well, dear, there were these 20 Tony Gwynn rookie cards . . . " It's good to know that this is a common problem. Maybe someone should write a book: How To Buy Cards Without Your Wife Finding Out About It. My standard reply, "There are worse habits, you know," seems to be getting a little thin. >>



Yes, the "worse habits" one is often used but does not protect you for long.

-Bob

Tabe

<< <i>

<< <i>Well, the whole conversation went something like Q: "What do you mean we can't make the car payment this month?" A: "Well, dear, there were these 20 Tony Gwynn rookie cards . . . " It's good to know that this is a common problem. Maybe someone should write a book: How To Buy Cards Without Your Wife Finding Out About It. My standard reply, "There are worse habits, you know," seems to be getting a little thin. >>



Yes, the "worse habits" one is often used but does not protect you for long. >>


I save the "worse habits" line for when my wife is giving me a hard time about drinking Coke/Pepsi a lot. "It could be beer honey"...

Tabe

calleocho

Nice photshop! LOL

pandrews

secret stash

stormsurge

Great photoshop image!

Knuckles