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new Member with a PSA question

Hi all,
I just joined last week and have been enjoying the board. You guys obviously know your stuff so I thought I'd ask for your insight and see what you think. I was looking at two of my PSA 5 1933 Goudeys next to each other and noticed that one was shorter than the other. The standard measurement for the issue is 2 3/8" x 2 7/8". When I measured them both it turns out that one is 1/32" short and the other is actually 1/32" long. I have heard from many dealers and read in many books that this is very common for the older issues as cutting was not nearly an exact science back then. I took a close look at the edges and see no evidence of trimming. Now, here is where it gets interesting. I noticed that the shorter card takes up the same percentage of the slab cavity as the longer card does in IT's cavity. Then I stacked the slabs on top of each other and, lo and behold, the cavitys of the two slabs are different sizes. I would think that a grading company would have one size of slab per issue and the fact that there are two sizes about 1/16" apart seems peculiar to me. Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Comments

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 12,000 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is a common practice with PSA. I have some '65 Bazooka panels that are in a holder that fits tight up to the edges of card and (same submission) some that are in holders that allow the cards to float all over the place.

    Joe
    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • Thanks Joe. Any idea why they might do this? I would think it would just complicate things on their end with so many slabs virtually (but not quite) the same size.

    Conor
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanks Joe. Any idea why they might do this? I would think it would just complicate things on their end with so many slabs virtually (but not quite) the same size.

    Conor >>



    Each slab (newer) is identified with a number in the lower left (front and back) that corresponds to a specific size recess for the card. Some issues may use multiple holders due to size variance or in-house availability of the holders. Knowing the holder identification comes in very handy in determining the "actual" size of some cards where the holders may have only a slight differential.

    As an example, my set of "expertise" is almost exclusively found encapsulated in "5" and "11" holders. However, in some circumstances, whether it be oversize of miscut, they do use the "baggie" and a larger recessed holder.
  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 12,000 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would agree with otwcards, adding that the grader or "encapsulator" probably has the decision making power. Some people are going to be more cautious when the card/panel in question is close to the size of the recess and go with the "baggie". I hate the baggies, but certainly don't want the card damaged by forcing it into a holder that is too small.

    Joe
    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • That would explain why the slabs for my '41 play ball set are all over the map (some with just the card in a snug slab, some in a snug slab with a Baggie, and some "loose" in a standard 2.5x3.5 card slab with a Baggie). I never gave much thought to any of this but I guess it makes sense.
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