Questions About Game Used Cards
CollectorAtWork
Posts: 859 ✭✭✭
I am mainly a prewar collector, but I have started to buy game used or auto cards of prewar HOFers. I have some questions about these.
(1) For the cards issued by the major distributors like Topps, Donruss, Upper Deck, etc, is it just assumed that the items in question are authentic? For example, for a Babe Ruth bat card, how do we know that shard didn't come from a store model bat or even a modern bat? Would it just be the reputation of the manufacturer? Similarly, the auto cards. Is it accepted that the autos for these cards (when they are cut autos) are authentic or would it be better to send these into PSA/DNA (or JSA) for "true" authentication? I would want to make sure that they are getting these from reliable sources rather than shady places like Coach's Corner.
(2) How come it seems like the main dealers of these cards are all of the same people (on ebay)? Do these guys just buy tons of unopened cases and rip them? It just seems weird that most of the Ruth, Gehrig, etc, cards seem to come from just a handful of people.
(3) Lastly, and I realize this is a PSA board, however, for those of you who collect and encapsulate these cards, are there particular holders that you prefer? That is, I've sent some game used cards to PSA, and most of the ones that were encapsulated come in these honkin' big holders. I believe the reason is because the cards are thicker, but I'm still not sure if I like them because they are so huge. I encapsulate the cards for protection and display, not for the grade since a PSA graded 8 or 10 bat card doesn't make a difference to me. (As opposed to a jersey card that has a stripe, which would have more value.) For those of you who have used Beckett or SGC, I wondered if you had any opinions on those holders.
Thanks!
(1) For the cards issued by the major distributors like Topps, Donruss, Upper Deck, etc, is it just assumed that the items in question are authentic? For example, for a Babe Ruth bat card, how do we know that shard didn't come from a store model bat or even a modern bat? Would it just be the reputation of the manufacturer? Similarly, the auto cards. Is it accepted that the autos for these cards (when they are cut autos) are authentic or would it be better to send these into PSA/DNA (or JSA) for "true" authentication? I would want to make sure that they are getting these from reliable sources rather than shady places like Coach's Corner.
(2) How come it seems like the main dealers of these cards are all of the same people (on ebay)? Do these guys just buy tons of unopened cases and rip them? It just seems weird that most of the Ruth, Gehrig, etc, cards seem to come from just a handful of people.
(3) Lastly, and I realize this is a PSA board, however, for those of you who collect and encapsulate these cards, are there particular holders that you prefer? That is, I've sent some game used cards to PSA, and most of the ones that were encapsulated come in these honkin' big holders. I believe the reason is because the cards are thicker, but I'm still not sure if I like them because they are so huge. I encapsulate the cards for protection and display, not for the grade since a PSA graded 8 or 10 bat card doesn't make a difference to me. (As opposed to a jersey card that has a stripe, which would have more value.) For those of you who have used Beckett or SGC, I wondered if you had any opinions on those holders.
Thanks!
0
Comments
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
2) Some of them are major buyers of high-end product. Others have reputations as people to consign to in order to maximize return when selling a card like this.
3) You'll have to ask someone else for this. I don't get modern cards graded.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
Need to buy something for the wife or girlfriend? Check out Vintage Designer Clothing.