Starting a PSA player set - Questions
mgugs46
Posts: 217 ✭✭
I know a lot of you collect a certain player, or players in an attempt to complete a master or basic set of that player. I am a HUGE Pedro Martinez fan, and would love to go about doing one for him - however, I have several questions:
1. Where would I obtain a list of what PSA counts as his total number of cards?
2. Is it a silly endeavor to take on being a modern player with probably thousands of cards? Wade Boggs is one of my other all time favorites - perhaps he makes more sense to attempt?
3. For those who do this, is it better to buy raw and send in to PSA or just pick up PSA slabbed cards already [assuming there are some for the more modern stuff]
4. Any other insight/tips/comments?
Thanks for the help as always
Mike
1. Where would I obtain a list of what PSA counts as his total number of cards?
2. Is it a silly endeavor to take on being a modern player with probably thousands of cards? Wade Boggs is one of my other all time favorites - perhaps he makes more sense to attempt?
3. For those who do this, is it better to buy raw and send in to PSA or just pick up PSA slabbed cards already [assuming there are some for the more modern stuff]
4. Any other insight/tips/comments?
Thanks for the help as always
Mike
Looking for PSA HOF autos, PSA Vintage Red Sox and Pedro Martinez
0
Comments
First off, there are already four total Pedro Martinez registries to choose from:
Pedro Martinez basic - 174 cards
Pedro Martinez master - 626 cards
Pedro Martinez basic Topps - 16 cards
Pedro Martinez master Topps - 169 cards
As far as it being a silly endeavor, why should it be? If you enjoy collecting his cards, don't worry about what others might or might not think. Collect what you like, and enjoy it to the fullest. You'll actually find a lot of people here that will cheer your accomplishments. I certainly have.
There is some satisfaction to sending in your own raw cards and having them come back with a high grade, but personally I don't have the kind of time and cash to attempt this with my Butler collection. Unless it's a rare issue, I'd just rather buy them already slabbed, especially if the price is right - which it usually is.
Good luck with your collection!
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
A "master" set pretty much allows almost everything, but it must be a recognized parallel or insert. For instance, I've got Butler cards from Donruss that have printing variations on the back (* vs **, or INC. vs INC) that probably have zero chance of being recognized by PSA because they're not recognized by anyone else except nutty player collectors.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
<< <i>How do they come up with what cards qualify for a registry? For example, inserts/parallels etc? >>
Click on TNP777's links and click on "View Set Composition".
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
<< <i>So for example if a player had a base, refractor, blue refractor, gold refractor, orange refractor and red refractor - would all those be included in a master set? >>
yes, but only the base card would be allowed in the basic set - not even the base refractor would make the cut for the basic set.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
<< <i>3. For those who do this, is it better to buy raw and send in to PSA or just pick up PSA slabbed cards already [assuming there are some for the more modern stuff] >>
For a player like Pedro Martinez, you should be able to grab many 10s at or around the cost of subbing your own (especially the high-pop cards). It's obviously more fun subbing your own, and landing your own 10s, but you don't want to price it out of your "fun range".
I'm a Ripken "player collector", and I've had a blast building my Basic Set (see link is sig line below). For the most part I've bought cards already slabbed, but once you start getting into the low or no pop cards, opening packs and buying raw cards for subbing can be an expensive but gratifying experience. Whatever you do, have fun!! I compare it to building a hot rod... it's "never done", but once you're actually DONE with it, you feel like selling it and starting over with a more difficult challenge. While I don't plan on selling my Ripken set EVER, I certainly have liquidated some of the Master Set cards that I don't need for my Basic Set so I can raise some cash to fill in other collecting needs. Anyway... good luck!
<< <i>also, there's a strong possibility that most of the Martinez registries are not complete, specifically the Master set. Martinez has over 8700 cards available (as recognized by Beckett), but there are only 626 cards in the Master set... for the moment. New cards can and will be added all the time, possibly by you. I know my Butler registry grows as new cards are graded - as I obtain them, I ask for them to be added to the registry. It takes a while, but eventually someone gets around to adding them. >>
Right, so that's part of my one question - since he has 8700 cards (how do you find this out on Beckett?) - who decides what cards count?
<< <i>
<< <i>also, there's a strong possibility that most of the Martinez registries are not complete, specifically the Master set. Martinez has over 8700 cards available (as recognized by Beckett), but there are only 626 cards in the Master set... for the moment. New cards can and will be added all the time, possibly by you. I know my Butler registry grows as new cards are graded - as I obtain them, I ask for them to be added to the registry. It takes a while, but eventually someone gets around to adding them. >>
Right, so that's part of my one question - since he has 8700 cards (how do you find this out on Beckett?) - who decides what cards count? >>
just go to their website and type in Pedro Martinez in their search box. You'll see!
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
Also, not sure how often Pedro signs in Boston area, but he is signing at the Chicago show the weekend of June 30th. I am only letting you know as I have never seen him do a signing.
<< <i>If you're new to the set registry, I would recommend starting with the small set - Basic Topps cards - and see how you like it. I personally like the Basic Topps sets - they're fairly easy to find and inexpensive.
Also, not sure how often Pedro signs in Boston area, but he is signing at the Chicago show the weekend of June 30th. I am only letting you know as I have never seen him do a signing. >>
I live in NJ, so I never see him sign haha. If you are going to the show and would be willing to help out with getting something signed (depending what he's charging) please feel free to PM.
<< <i>New cards can and will be added all the time, possibly by you. I know my Butler registry grows as new cards are graded - as I obtain them, I ask for them to be added to the registry. It takes a while, but eventually someone gets around to adding them. >>
That's a big part of the fun, for me.
<< <i>
<< <i>also, there's a strong possibility that most of the Martinez registries are not complete, specifically the Master set. Martinez has over 8700 cards available (as recognized by Beckett), but there are only 626 cards in the Master set... for the moment. New cards can and will be added all the time, possibly by you. I know my Butler registry grows as new cards are graded - as I obtain them, I ask for them to be added to the registry. It takes a while, but eventually someone gets around to adding them. >>
Right, so that's part of my one question - since he has 8700 cards (how do you find this out on Beckett?) - who decides what cards count? >>
Unless they are numbered to less than 5, they can be made a part of the Master Set if they were issued contemporaneous with his playing career.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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