Slight OC Cards from Top to Bottom or Side to Side?

Foo3112

I’m generally picky when it comes to graded cards in a particular grade. Joe O. once wrote some great advice in his little column in a recent SMR late last year and it was something along the lines of - if you’re thinking about purchasing a card and something about it is bothering you and you have to think about it making the purchase, then mostly likely it’s going to bother you after you buy it as well -

This has happened to me a few times where I have purchased something and then looking at it later on, I start to dislike the card more and more because say ...a centering issue. Well I can put up with a SLIGHT amount of OC as long as it doesn’t come with a qualifier and of course, depending on the year and brand which some could be notorious for producing off centered cards. For example, one of my goals at this year’s National will be looking for a 1957 Ted Williams in a PSA 7. That card is extremely difficult to find even in decent centering for a 7. 8’s are pretty nice but still not even well centered.

With that being said, when it comes to hard to find cards such as a ‘57 Williams or a ‘59 Mantle or even a 68 Ryan, what bothers you more?

Cards that are a bit slight OC from left to right and vice versa OR top to bottom? For me, I can sleep better with a little left to right or right to left but having the top to bottom off just kills if for me. Too much white on the top/bottom (or whatever color the border is) is pretty much a deal breaker.

Any of you guys have a preference as well? And Im not talking about purchasing an OC card - just a nice graded card that is a tad off.

alifaxwa2

If I have to get an OC card, I get it OC on the t/b

ThoseBackPages

Hard to pin it down as an overall definition. Easier to take it on a year by year basis.

for me, TILT is an absolute killer. then its centering.

Mapleleaf

I see L/R centering as more important than T/B. I can live with tilt on a 9 but not a 10.