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Guess the Grade on a couple of gorgeous 1957 Topps
Coucher73
Posts: 68
Hi all -- just bought a large raw collection from someone who was liquidating an estate. In addition to some well-loved 1954 and 1956 Topps (average condition probably in the PSA 3/PSA 4 range), there were a TON of gorgeous 1957 Topps cards. Multiples of pretty much every superstar (mostly mid-grade), including four Mantles (have not submitted them yet, but expected grade range of PSA 4 up to PSA 6), five Mays, three Aarons, three Williams. However, the most exciting part was seeing the sheer number of cards included from the tough mid-series, and the condition of the cards. There are a ton of absolute blazers! I have not gotten around to scanning too many of them yet, but had a couple that I wanted to share with the board. I apologize if the scan is not good enough to render any opinion -- I am a long-time PC user who is now getting used to a new scanner, a new Macbook Pro, and iPhoto.
Here is the picture:
The Robinson looks and feels like a 9 to me, but I am setting my expectations at PSA 8. The back centering meets the 90/10 standard for a 9, but there is a slight tilt to it. Same with the Cimoli (of which there in only one 9 in existence).
I really got a great deal on the entire collection. Due to circumstances (mainly the seller just wanting to get rid of the stuff and not wanting to take the time to get 95% of the stuff out of storage to let me look at), only part of the collection was available for viewing prior to me making an offer. Most of the nice 57's were included in inventory that the seller had represented as early 90's unopened material and on which I factored very little into my offer. I'll have a hard time ever getting this kind of a deal again.
Here is the picture:
The Robinson looks and feels like a 9 to me, but I am setting my expectations at PSA 8. The back centering meets the 90/10 standard for a 9, but there is a slight tilt to it. Same with the Cimoli (of which there in only one 9 in existence).
I really got a great deal on the entire collection. Due to circumstances (mainly the seller just wanting to get rid of the stuff and not wanting to take the time to get 95% of the stuff out of storage to let me look at), only part of the collection was available for viewing prior to me making an offer. Most of the nice 57's were included in inventory that the seller had represented as early 90's unopened material and on which I factored very little into my offer. I'll have a hard time ever getting this kind of a deal again.
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Don't waste your time and fees listing on ebay before getting in touch me by PM or at gregmo32@aol.com !
<< <i>That sure looks like a 9. That is an incredible find. How did you do price-wise for the group? >>
Ridiculously well. I'll make a long story short. This was initially presented to me as a modern collection. The seller (who was merely liquidating an estate) provided an inventory listing of mainly early 90's sets and unopened boxes. Nothing on the list jumped out at me other than some 92 Fleer Update sets a large number of products that would contain Jeter RCs. She also said that the "most interesting stuff" was in binders that she actually let me take for a couple of weeks to peruse. Included in the binders were a number of 54, 56, and 57 Topps. Alone, it was enough to make me want to deal with the hassle of the early 90's inventory (which was a requirement of the seller). So, I put together a fair estimate of the absolute minimum value of the old stuff if I sold it piecemeal and then offered 60% of that value. I added $300 for the 90's inventory, hoping to just break even on it. Total was $2,800.
I picked up the 90's inventory on Saturday and got it home and started going through it. It was much more than advertised. There were actually three unopened boxes of 1993 Upper Deck SP that retail for around $375/each. But the kicker was another plastic bin with three binders with more 56 and 57 Topps. And that's where the Brooks Robinson and the sharpest of the 57s were located. That's not even all of it. There were two more of nearly every star from 56, including Mantle (one likely a PSA 2, the other likely a PSA 5).
The crazy thing is that the seller told me on Saturday that "It is a good thing you came along, because this stuff was headed to the landfill if you didn't want it."
<< <i>Absolutely beautiful pack fresh cards! 9's!Best looking raw 57's I have seen in a while. Please, more scans!!
Will do. I hardly have any of the really sharp ones scanned yet, but will add to this thread when I do get them scanned and ready for submitting. In the meantime, here are a few of the superstars and better conditioned semi-stars from the first binders that I have already sent for grading. Most look better in these scans than they are reality. They are mostly PSA 3 to PSA 6 in my opinion (I think the semi-stars like Martin, Maglie, Ashburn are at least PSA 7). And obviously some centering and miscut issues on a few.
Sorry to hear your bad fortune! This is a great story and the cards are extremely nice. The scans show the condition of the cards very nicely- even with the mid grade stars. I am jealous.
Congrats on your find. Keep us informed on your grades. MORE PICS PLEASE.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but both of those cards look trimmed.
<< <i>Nice pickup.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but both of those cards look trimmed. >>
You didn't disappoint me at all. The cards actually measure perfectly. No trimming concern whatsoever.