1968 Atlantic Oil Play Ball Cards - Should I Grade?

rbdjr1

I recently bought a lot of 27 '68 Alantic Oil Play Ball Cards. Each time got gas at an Atlantic Oil Station, you got a "twin pack" of 2 cards (i.e., you had to split by the perferation to reveal the two cards). Some cards could be redeemed for a cash prizes from $1 to $2,500, I believe some of these cards in this set are non-existant, or at the very least, extremely rare. Who in there right mind would rather "salt away" a card worth cash in l968 (up to 2500 bucks!)???

PSA has graded only four of these cards (3-Al Kaline and 1-Pete Rose), with grades of, 3-4, 6, and two 8Qs. The 27-card lot I purchased has cards of: Hank Aaron, Roger Maris, Pete Rose, Lou Brock, Willie McCovey, Frank Robinson, Al Kaline, Bob Gibson, Boog Powell and Maury Wills, plus 17 others. I would say half the cards would grade 3-4, and the other half maybe 5 to 6, with maybe a 7 if I'm lucky.

My question is would it be worth my while grading these cards (i.e., just the 10 stars, all 27 cards, or what?)???

Or are there hundreds of these sets/cards sitting around out there? Or as I've been told, this to be quite a scarce issue?

Or would "PSA one-and-onlys" of the likes of Hank Aaron, Bob Gibson, Roger Maris, etc. bring me value?

Any thoughts?

By the way, I'm glad to be here (a newbie) on the 'PSA threads'

rd

P.S. # 1 sets, ("rbdjr1's") 1976 Topps Base. and 1961 New-Cards FB (both 100%)

rbdjr1

Here's a reply: (email: re-post with the permission of Davalillo)

I have the 40 non-winners in nrmt-mt. While they are not plentiful, I would not consider them to be rare. The 10 additional winners are very rare.

You can repeat this on PSA message board if you wish.

I may get mine graded at some point.

Jim Crandell (Davalillo)

calleocho

I personally think this set its kinda of crappy, but you would be amazed at what player collectors pay for a card they dont have.

Remember that these cards are considered hand-cut , thats the reason why these cards appear rare, PSA has only recently started grading hand-cut cards so in a lot of issues the cards show very low pop numbers.

These cards can be found quite easy and are considered modern.

I have one cards from this set, the Campaneris and i think i paid around 2.00 bucks for it at a show.

I would not grade them.

67standup

Do any of the "winner" cards depict superstars?

NickM

67standup - yes. When I can get to the Beckett Almanac, I'll post who the winner cards were (and what amounts).

Nick

ajw

Anyone want to share a few scans?

cardfan07

I belive Mays was a winner card...$10 or something like that.
I think the biggest possibility for making some cash is with player collectors. I have a Mays master set and own 2 of those cards. Neither is gradeable though (above a 3 or 4 max). I'd personally hold out for something a little bit higher.

calleocho

ajw

Wow. That's just about the least attractive set I can think of.

A761506

I have one of these for a player set, Norm Cash... it is rough around the edges and I won't grade it, I'll hold out for a nicer one. It's not worth much, I think I paid $4 for it.

On a side note... since they are considered hand-cut, would PSA grade them if you were to clean them up around the edges, say trim off the perforations to get crisp edge lines and corners like they do with Post and Bazooka's?

calleocho

I think so, PSA has graded a couple of 8's.