Collecting 1964 Topps (year I was born)

1bbnerd

I just wanted to first mention, I'm thankful there are a bunch of knowledgeable collectors here and to give you praise and acknowledgement. I have just started collecting this, and I have acquired some decent looking cards. One big problem with these cards I noticed is that since the background color is white, these cards tend to get a little yellow and are easily susceptable to smoke and other airborne pollutants, dirt and oil from people's fingers, and the like. Anyway, I'm first starting to get a bunch of the (ungraded) stars and commons (in lots) and I have started to build my collection. I guess I'm starting to develop a pretty decerning eye for these cards, as i'm always looking at the corners, centering and color/gloss because there a bunch out there that aren't that great and the people who have them seem to make them out better than what they really are (to try and get more money for them obviously).

I feel my best card is the Willie Mays #150 card. I have 2 of them, and will definitely be getting these graded (probably by PSA) but I was wondering about getting the other star and rookie cards I have acquired from this set graded. I have a very nice looking Pete Rose, but it's not centered top to bottom probably 60/40 and the sides are maybe 55/45. Should I wait to find a better Rose card or get this one graded? I'm thinking it might be better to hold out and only send in the better cards for grading. How do you guys deal with that type of decision? I'm hoping to not get anything lower than 6's (is this too tall of an order to fill?). Also, i've never submitted any cards to be graded and just wanted some feedback on the grading experiences with PSA and about how other people who may have been or still collecting these cards.

earlycalguy

to help determine if your rose would get at least a 6 - post a front and back scan of the card. i would look at other psa 6 roses for 64' and see how your's compares. with grading these cards I do not know how the trivia questions on the back are viewed - if the grade is affected if the questions were rubbed off or if they just became faded over time. maybe another member has info on that factor.

the 6 grade range is not too expensive to complete the set in. I got the mantle/maris combo card yesterday in a 7 for $100. the regular mantle is about $150 and the rose in a 6 is about 100. commons for most 6's can be had for less than $5 - many times you can find them being sold in lots.

detroitfan2

Welcome 1bbnerd. It's great to finally have someone on these boards older than me (I'm a 1965'er myself).

You picked a great set to collect. Before I found out he was a horse's behind, I was a huge Pete Rose fan. On the day of my high school graduation, my dad gave me a 1964 Rose, probably about Ex condition. Obviously it is a very special card to me. Good luck on your set!

-Tom

Stone193

Hi 1bb
I think I had welcomed you but hey...Welcome again!

On the PSA submission - IMO, it's better to err on the safe side of being too fussy - I would recommend a 10X loop and look at the corners carefully, then carefully inspect the surface on front and back for slight wrinkles along with any loss of gloss - tilting the card under a direct light will show you any imperfection in the gloss.

On the 64T set - unless one has a lot of dough - that's a set that if you are careful can be picked up in a solid 6 and look fantastic and not require that you take out a second mortgage or give up your first born!LOL

Here's a good example of a great card but won't kill your wallet:



Do you plan to do the entire set graded?

mike

1bbnerd

No, i'm only planning on getting mostly the star cards graded and probably a few of the other's I like that are worthy of being graded. It's strange because I see people bidding way over Beckett pricing for ungraded cards. I know that the prices are for NRMT (NM) condition, but it's just strange that someone would overbid the highest Beckett price. I guess that card must have been Mint because then the price can multiply 4.5x's the values right? I still need to get the darned expensive cards, like the #50 Mantle, #200 Kofax, #300 Aaron, #331 AL Bombers, and #440 Clemente. I just have to be patient and wait around for the right cards and not get irked over someone bidding $.50 or $1 more than my highest bids... There's usually always a better condition card that comes up for auction, so I'm not too flustered or worried.

I'll upload some of the scans of the cards later.
Thanks for all your feedback.

1bbnerd

Aargh.. I just over bid by $1 on this one... I'm not crazy thinking this card is worth much more than around $75 am I? #440 Roberto Clemente

1bbnerd

1bbnerd

Sorry for the blank post. I meant to say I got over bid by $1.

jerster

Nice Mantle

DirtyHarry

Welcome 1bb.....1964 is the first set I collected as a kid. I beat the heck out of all the cards, as we did back then, but still have them.

Just a suggestion....this board is a good resource for opinions of any kind. Ask opinions BEFORE you post an auction that you missed by $1. But, be aware that most are looking at graded cards. Ungraded cards via the internet are ALWAYS caveat emptor. Regards and good luck. IMO.

1bbnerd

I'm thinking of bidding on this Mantle card What would be a fair bid? I'd probably not want to bid more than what I could get a PSA 6 card like Stone193 has above (really nice looking 6).