Mastro Auction - Is this Chamberlain a 10?

tkd7 · August 1, 2006 10:12PM

Curious on the board's thoughts on this. It looks too off center L/R to me to be a 10. At the very least, it doesn't have 10 eye appeal that I would want for the money.

Besides, we haven't had a "its not a 10" thread in at least 12 hours.

Brian48 · August 1, 2006 10:25PM

From what I seen over the last two years, it seems that PSA is all forgiving if the corners are razor sharp. Otherwise, they will scrutinize all the other areas of the card. Although the centering is probably within the tolerances for a 10, this particular card appears to have really exceptional corners and that overcame any "eye appeal" factor.

Brian48 · August 1, 2006 10:26PM

By the way, if you think the 60-40 rule for the front is generous, the 70-30 on the back is really generous.

aro13 · August 2, 2006 1:26AM

There is also a GAI Gem Mint Chamberlain rookie in the Mastronet auction. The PSA 10 opened at $5000 and the GAI 9.5 opened at $1500. The PSA 10 is a card that was graded a long time ago.

It seems most collectors have different standards for the GEM MT grade than the grading companies. However, there are enough people out there that like the card enough to pay an exhorbitant amount.

Ahmanfan · August 2, 2006 1:53AM

I dont care if it's maybe a stretch 10... I'd love to have that card here at my house!!

mikeschmidt · August 2, 2006 2:04AM

Actually - and this may be one of the ONLY times I ever make a statement like this, but the GAI 9.5 looks better than the PSA 10, all things considered:

So far, the PSA 10 is bid up to 5x the price of the GAI 9.5

DaBigHurt · August 2, 2006 2:21AM

I think you people are assigning way too much importance to centering. If PSA says the card is a GEM MINT 10, it's a gem mint 10. If you're not satisifed with the card inside the slab, don't include a picture of the card on you Set Registry.

The bottom line is, a PSA 10 label is worth more than a GAI 9.5, and that's all that matters. Let's not get caught up with details like the card itself. Nobody really cares about that stuff anymore. It's all about the labels, baby.

slatsme · August 2, 2006 2:34AM

Hurt, not sure I agree with that statement. Not all PSA 10's (or any grade) are equal and the aesthetics of each card tells us this. I would concur with Mike's statement about the GAI 9.5 - it does look like a nicer, cleaner card.

DaBigHurt · August 2, 2006 2:49AM

This might come as a shock to many of the forumites, but I agree with the assessments of you and MS - the GAI 9.5 does indeed look better than the PSA 10. But does that really matter? The PSA 10 resides in a PSA 10 slab and I guarantee you will bring double, maybe even triple what the GAI 9.5 will bring.

gosteelers · August 2, 2006 2:53AM

<< Hurt, not sure I agree with that statement. Not all PSA 10's (or any grade) are equal and the aesthetics of each card tells us this. I would concur with Mike's statement about the GAI 9.5 - it does look like a nicer, cleaner card. >>

You need to understand where DBH is coming from...

stown · August 2, 2006 3:03AM

<< This might come as a shock to many of the forumites, but I agree with the assessments of you and MS - the GAI 9.5 does indeed look better than the PSA 10. >>

Who is this and what have you done to DBH?!?!?!

GOODLIEU · August 2, 2006 3:42AM

I saw this card up close at the Mastro booth at the National and if I had the cash to buy it (God knows what it will finally net at auction) I think I would take a pass on it. The Bidders on a 1 of 1 card such as this are the big guns of the hobby and despite what people may think they check these cards with jewelers glasses at the booth. The cards eye appeal is low due to the obvious centering and for that type of cash they want a card that is not only graded a 10 but also looks like one.

ToppsCo1lector · August 2, 2006 3:44AM

<< This might come as a shock to many of the forumites, but I agree with the assessments of you and MS - the GAI 9.5 does indeed look better than the PSA 10. But does that really matter? The PSA 10 resides in a PSA 10 slab and I guarantee you will bring double, maybe even triple what the GAI 9.5 will bring. >>

Doesn't make it a nicer card. If things like this keep happening you'll see PSA values start to slide down eventually.

mikeschmidt · August 2, 2006 3:48AM

<< I saw this card up close at the Mastro booth at the National and if I had the cash to buy it (God knows what it will finally net at auction) I think I would take a pass on it. The Bidders on a 1 of 1 card such as this are the big guns of the hobby and despite what people may think they check these cards with jewelers glasses at the booth. The cards eye appeal is low due to the obvious centering and for that type of cash they want a card that is not only graded a 10 but also looks like one. >>

The Chamberlain is not a 1 of 1 card...

GOODLIEU · August 2, 2006 3:55AM

Your right 1 of 3. Still would not buy it for the reasons I mentioned.

Stone193 · August 2, 2006 3:57AM

I wish PSA would only assign a 10 when the centering is 55/45 or better.

A card with all the qualities of a 10 but centering is not 55/45...should be assigned a lower grade IMO.

But, I'll tell ya what? I'ld be glad to have an 8 in that card!

mike

aro13 · August 21, 2006 12:34PM

~"The PSA 10 resides in a PSA 10 slab and I guarantee you will bring double, maybe even triple what the GAI 9.5 will bring"~

Maybe even 4X the amount.

61 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain PSA 10 $20 292

61 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain GAI 9.5 $4 575

5STAT · August 21, 2006 1:07PM

1st glance...eye appeal..the 9.5 has it on the 10..

2nd glance...is it just the scan or is that card sitting tiltled in the GAI holder? To me..it looks undersized...tb and lr

NewJerseyMeatHook · August 21, 2006 1:26PM

Bursting with eye appeal.

Perfectly centered.

Clean edges.

Grader smoked his breakfast.

Slabbed · August 21, 2006 1:30PM

Yeah we all just might as well buy labels.

XanaduNow · August 21, 2006 3:33PM

Do my eyes deceive me or is the GAI ever-so-slightly miscut -- narrowing on the top left and bottom right?

I also think the PSA label is slightly miscut as well. If I'm spending top dollar on a PSA 10 I want the label to be perfect too. I'd take a PSA 9 with a sharp colored and centered PSA label over a PSA 10 with a shotty label. That's just me. That's just what I like.

Arthur

CDsNuts · August 22, 2006 1:47AM

I say give it a PSA 10 (OC). But seriously, if that was a 1978 Topps common centered like that, no way in hell it gets a 10. Seems like the bigger the card, the more forgiving the grader. I think they should hire graders that know nothing about sports or card values. That's the only way grading will be truly subjective.

Lee

Stingray · August 22, 2006 2:01AM

<< 1st glance...eye appeal..the 9.5 has it on the 10..

2nd glance...is it just the scan or is that card sitting tiltled in the GAI holder? To me..it looks undersized...tb and lr >>

That is the first thing I thought when I saw that card!!

Agree with Stone, 55/45 or better for a PSA 10!!

Mastro Auction - Is this Chamberlain a 10?

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