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What is the value of 100% graded big set?

Hi.

I'm working on the 1971 Topps baseball set. Initially, I had expected to grade as much I could (maybe 20%) then sell the set, understanding that I could never complete it and wanted to focus on my more attainable 59 Fleer Williams set. But with the recent submission special, and really enjoying the set, I've now decided to go all the way to 100%, which got me thinking...

What is a set like that worth 100% graded? Has anyone ever seen one sold? I'm not specifically asking about the 71 baseball set, but any larger set from the 60s, 70s. Obviously I know the ultimate value would vary largely based on the condition/grade, but is it even a worthy investment to begin with? People always comment that collectors should "buy the card, not the holder", but for a 700+ card set 100% graded, that's many thousands of dollars in grading fees alone. Would/should this factor in to a sale price?

Would like to hear from some of 100% complete registry guys with the bigger sets (600-700+ cards)... Did you assemble with the intention of selling it complete someday? Where would you even begin to come up with a selling price? Just adding up the SMR value seems like a logical starting place, but in some cases that total wouldn't even match what you potentially spent on grading fees to begin with.

This isn't specifically a question for registry members (which is why I used this board). I'm also curious how buyers would begin to put a price on a 100% graded large set (assuming you're not just buying to break up and resell).

Comments

  • There is an article in the SMR about a Ted williams set graded at I believe a 9.14 average. It contains 15 of the 20 PSA 10's ever graded..............
  • I saw that. One of the top Williams sets in the registry (J.H something) all 9s was bought on ebay for 20K even a few years ago. But it's a little easier to price that 80 card set, not so easy for a 700+ card set...
  • A set to watch

    I have seen many all psa graded sets sell on ebay and through Mastro etc. Value varies by the set and condition and the given number of buyers with big pockets.
    Collecting
    Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
    1967 Topps PSA 8+
    1960's Topps run Mega Set image
    "For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
    image
  • Here, keep your eye on this completely graded 1956 Topps Set (340). This should give you some idea. image

    Scott
    Registry Sets:
    T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
    1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
    1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
    1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
    1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
    1981 Topps FB PSA 10
    1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
    1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
    3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up

    My Sets
  • Collecting
    Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
    1967 Topps PSA 8+
    1960's Topps run Mega Set image
    "For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
    image
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    This PSA 1975 set did not sell:



    1975 PSA Set


    Stingray
  • Yikes. That 75 set will be interesting to watch, especially with no reserve... Starting price is about $15/card. Seems like a reasonable price, given that common 9s regularly go for upwards $35-50 on ebay, 8s $12-20, and the PSA 9 Yount and Brett are good for ~$1000 themselves (not to mention the other psa 9 stars). In theory, I'd expect it to go for at least SMR of 12K. Realistically, I'd bet under 10K, if it gets any bids at all...
  • lostdart58lostdart58 Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭
    Buying a set piecemeal is alot more expensive then buying it whole............
    Collector of:Baseball
    1955 Bowman Raw complete with 90% Ex-NR or better

    Now seeking 1949 Eureka Sportstamps...NM condition
    Working on '78 Autographed set now 99.9% complete -
    Working on '89 Topps autoed set now complete


  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Buying a set piecemeal is alot more expensive then buying it whole............ >>



    Yeah, but it is not as fun IMO.

    That 75 set I believe did not sell and I think the seller is going to an auction house with it. You can find 75s PSA 9 commons for $15-$20 and PSA 8s as low at $3-$6 a piece.


    Stingray
  • and the PSA 9 Yount and Brett are good for ~$1000 themselves (not to mention the other psa 9 stars).

    The prices have been steadily declining for PSA 9's. A PSA 9 Brett usually sells between $600 and $700 while Yount usually sells around $500. Ryan always exceeds $1,000 in PSA 9. image

    Scott
    Registry Sets:
    T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
    1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
    1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
    1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
    1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
    1981 Topps FB PSA 10
    1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
    1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
    3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up

    My Sets
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Buying a set piecemeal is alot more expensive then buying it whole............

    I agree with Kirk. and while it may be more expensive building piecemeal it is a way in which one can complete a set without a substantial initial outlay.


    building 2 sets for over 2 years now has been rewarding.

    to buy a set outright I am almost sure would lead to wanting to upgrade some.

    now if a set was available and it was at a wholesale price then of course my opinion would differ

    in any event good luck on building a set.

    SD
    Good for you.
  • Actually a complete 71 set all Psa 8s has sold twice in the last few years. I believe they were the same set. The original set sold about 3 years ago for approx 25k in a private sale. Then last year another all Psa 8 71 set which i believe to be the same set sold with an auction house(cant remember which auction house) for about 15 or 16k. For that price I would buy the 71 set today. Any other sets from the 70s would be different and not even come close to those prices. Hope that helps.
  • ctsoxfanctsoxfan Posts: 6,246 ✭✭
    I always wondered this myself - especially as I build a few big sets in PSA graded form. I don't anticipate ever having to sell them, but if I did, I might approach Mastro to do the transaction. I seem to recall them always having at least a partially graded set in the last few auctions. On a 10K-20K transaction, I like their odds better than going to Ebay myself.
    image
  • AhmanfanAhmanfan Posts: 4,390 ✭✭✭✭
    When I go to buy a single card, I dont think "OK SMR is $10, grading fee was $10, so I'll pay $20"

    I think the same would apply for a set... I would NOT take into account grading fees.

    John
    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • I remember a while back a guy who got a 1981 Fleer set completely graded. Even at five dollars a pop for each grading that comes out to $3,300. Every card wa nine or higher. I bet if that set were sold it would command about $500 dollars.

    That '75 graded set linked above has a horribly off centered Yount that got a nine. Man, I just shake my head every time I see that. I just ask "who did that guy blow?" Do the graders keep Kleenex at their desk for special customers? Ridiculous.
  • tkd7tkd7 Posts: 1,799 ✭✭
    I think the very act of collecting is a financially losing proposition. You need to collect to satisfy some other need than financial.

    If you put together a set and make some money, all the better. I think the market for people willing to buy an entire slabbed set is pretty thin. Most of these sets would probably have a better break price then set price if you had the time to do that (I guess that is the opposite of collecting).

    That being said, I'm ready to start a 1978 PSA 9 set.
  • augustamanaugustaman Posts: 584 ✭✭
    tkd7 -
    Did you say you're looking to start a PSA 9
    1978 set? I've got a set, about 20% complete,
    that I would sell to get you off on the right foot.
    E-mail me or turn on your "private message" option
    and drop me a PM.

    Bill
    wpkoughan@yahoo.com
    Collecting 1970-1979 PSA 9 & 10 Baseball Cards
  • softparadesoftparade Posts: 9,276 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am currently collecting the 1978 Topps baseball set in 9 and better. The LAST thing I think about is what it might sell for complete. I just don't care. I love the set and the registry and those two factors are good enough for me.


    tkd7, I have some extra 78 PSA 9's! Pm me for a list
    Dan

    ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240

  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    Agree with Softparade, I can only think about what cards I need and what I can afford to purchase at this time. Maybe though when/if I finish my set and I have had it long enough to enjoy I am retired and my kids do not want the set (I have three daughters, so highly unlikely that they will want it, not into cards), if I need extra money to pay for college or a wedding (I am thinking a couple of airline tickets to Vegas for them) I will sell it.

    Stingray
  • I built a complete 1960 Topps Psa graded baseball set, it was 8.05 Gpa and at the time it was the #4 ATF set. I ended up breaking it up and selling it off as individuals last December. I know i got over $21 K and some raw sets in trade. I however have since started rebuilding the set from scratch i only had about 15 cards left from the original set. I have found a lot of the lo pops at substantially cheaper prices this time around. Phil
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    Another graded 75 set for sale:

    75 PSA set

    Stingray
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