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1971 Topps BB size and recolor - advice before submit?
mattinglymint23
Posts: 1,261 ✭✭
Hi All,
Would appreciate some insight. Have picked up a few lots of 71 Topps from various sellers on eBay. Nice looking cards and would like to sub to PSA but after reading some of the prior posts on the topic wanted to raise some concerns and get some guidance. Total lot is about 100 cards across all series.
Size:
A fair amount, about 15 cards are measuring shy of 2 1/2" width. Shy meaning 1/16" or less with most of the 15 a hair or two shy - but definitely enough to be noticed when stacked. Length seems fine on all at 3 1/2".
Is this a reasonable variation for the 71 cards?
The edges don't appear to have the look I would expect for something sliced, no pinched effect, etc.
Color:
I haven't used a backlight but have louped them and held at angle to light to check for flat spots in the gloss of the surface. No indication on the edges of bleed through.
Strange thing is that about 20 I got in one lot have a smell kind of like plastic - if anyone remembers, star wars figures had that same smell when you opened them. That kind of thing.
Any thoughts or advice or stories welcome. Like I said - saw some other posts but wanted to put my full case out there for consideration. I am new to the 71 topps set as far as buying raw for grading having spent a lot of time on that other doll of the decade - 75 topps. Why do I do it to myself???
Thanks!
Would appreciate some insight. Have picked up a few lots of 71 Topps from various sellers on eBay. Nice looking cards and would like to sub to PSA but after reading some of the prior posts on the topic wanted to raise some concerns and get some guidance. Total lot is about 100 cards across all series.
Size:
A fair amount, about 15 cards are measuring shy of 2 1/2" width. Shy meaning 1/16" or less with most of the 15 a hair or two shy - but definitely enough to be noticed when stacked. Length seems fine on all at 3 1/2".
Is this a reasonable variation for the 71 cards?
The edges don't appear to have the look I would expect for something sliced, no pinched effect, etc.
Color:
I haven't used a backlight but have louped them and held at angle to light to check for flat spots in the gloss of the surface. No indication on the edges of bleed through.
Strange thing is that about 20 I got in one lot have a smell kind of like plastic - if anyone remembers, star wars figures had that same smell when you opened them. That kind of thing.
Any thoughts or advice or stories welcome. Like I said - saw some other posts but wanted to put my full case out there for consideration. I am new to the 71 topps set as far as buying raw for grading having spent a lot of time on that other doll of the decade - 75 topps. Why do I do it to myself???
Thanks!
0
Comments
<< <i>Hi All,
Size:
A fair amount, about 15 cards are measuring shy of 2 1/2" width. Shy meaning 1/16" or less with most of the 15 a hair or two shy - but definitely enough to be noticed when stacked. Length seems fine on all at 3 1/2".
Is this a reasonable variation for the 71 cards?
>>
I've been working on the 1971 set since about 2005. Firstly, cards that are smaller than 2 1/2" cannot assumed to be trimmed. I've had many cards I know are legit that are up to 1/16" off. Often these cards come from vending, though I'm still not sure why cards from vending are often smaller. When buying cards described as being from vending on ebay, you should assume the possibility that the cards may be undersized, and after looking at a lot of cards over a long period of time, you'll start to be able to notice the undersized cards from their border widths.
That said, PSA will still "minimum size requirement" them. I don't know where I read it, but my understanding was that the most cards could be off without receiving that classification is 1/32", so I've used that as a guideline for raw commons in my set.
I believe PSA uses a black light to check for marker enhancements - a cheap one off of ebay (hand held) - like this one - is crucial for 1962 or 1971 submissions in my humble opinion.
Bosox1976
Regarding the sizing, I'll echo what Dave said. It's quite common to find 1971s that are short of normal size. PSA will usually reject these. I have a high grade Shelleback that I've submitted probably 8 times and could never get it holdered. At least you'll get a voucher back if it's not trimmed. Good luck!
<< <i>I would tell you other ways to tell if the surfaces of your 71's were recolored but I am concerned that you may have unscrupulous intentions. So it is advised that you find help elsewhere before the villagers show up with pitch forks and fire!
Curious why you think the OP is up to no good.
Seems like sharing advise on the board in regards to ways to tell if these are recolored is a good thing.
<< <i>
<< <i>I would tell you other ways to tell if the surfaces of your 71's were recolored but I am concerned that you may have unscrupulous intentions. So it is advised that you find help elsewhere before the villagers show up with pitch forks and fire!
Curious why you think the OP is up to no good.
Seems like sharing advise on the board in regards to ways to tell if these are recolored is a good thing. >>
I never understood this mentality either. It's like you need to give a secret handshake before such earth shattering info can be shared. It's silly in my opinion but to each their own I guess.
no ill intentions on my part - just trying to catch my experience up with my enthusiasm. want to build a solid base for a 71 set and ilk the die of buying raw lots when available. would never look to cheat fellow collectors that way.
It really bums me out when cards come back not meeting size requirement, recently sent two gems from 75 topps off only to get that sticker back. i'm relatively new to the submission process so didn't realize that there was a category for suspected trimming separate from the size requirement - but makes sense.
anyway - thanks again.
Lee