New To the Board

RedRomad275

I am not new to collecting but new to the graded card thing. I have recently started to collect Topps Baseball of the 70's. Naturally starting with 1970. Anyone with some advice about how or where to start. I have bought up many lots of cards off EBay, but that is slow going. Also, do you submit an entire set to PSA for grading or is it just certain cards out of the set? How many graded cards in a set do you need to register it? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Proudly Serving in America'a Armed Forces

NickM

You can register with as few as 1 graded cards from the set. When to register (and if to show your set if you do) are entirely your choice. You can also try to have the entire set PSA graded, just the expensive cards, just the cards that yould get certain grades, or any other way you wish to collect. I suggest browsing through some of the past threads on this board to get a feel for how other collectors choose to do it.

Nick

Alfiewt

First of all, befor sending any cards to PSA you shoulf familiarize youself with PSA's grading standards. You should do this by look at some graded cards, and read their grading standards. PSA Grading Standards

When you do send cards to PSA, you should only send a few cards at first, to see what grades you get. There is a good possibility that you will get lower grades then you thought. Don't get discouraged from this, look over the cards and try to determine why the were given the grades so you won't make the same mistakes on you next submission.

For the 1970 Topps set, you should only send cards that you think will grade PSA 8 or higher. Lower grade cards will not be worth the submission fee. You do not have to send the complete set to PSA, in fact you should only cherry pick the best condition cards from the set to send in for grading.

As for the registry, you can start registering you set with just one card.

ChrisKK

Red,

Welcome to the registry and I hope you enjoy collecting the graded cards.

Now with that out of the way, I would not suggest starting with 1970. It is a frustrating set with no pleasure in completing. You pay through the nose in the auctions and there is no help from the others building the set.

I think starting with 1980 and work your way backwards to 1952, that would give you more pleasure.

If you do submit your own cards for grading, as Alfiewt mentioned, do not be discouraged by lower than expected grades from PSA. They are tough. Oh, and if you do receive any 9's from 1970, I would love to hold them in my set until you get to 1970.

Chris Klinger

What? What? Why can't I try to stop new comers before I am finished? No one ever told me I played well with others.

NickM

For the most part, I agree with Alfie. Certain cards may still be worth grading (or buying graded) if they should get a PSA 7 - the Ryan and Banks come to mind off the bat. Of course, if the price is cheap enough, just about anything is worth buying (i.e., if you find high numbers in PSA 7 for under $5).

Nick

RedRomad275

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I will continue on with my 1970 baseball maybe just not graded. I will start grading my 79 and 85 Topps baseball though. Thanks again.


Proudly serving in America's Armed Forces

ChrisKK

Red,
Do not let us (me) scare you off of the 70 set. Because of the boarders and questionable centering this is a tough set. I submitted some cards that I thought would come back as 8's and was shocked that they were 6's and 7's. After comparing them to some late 70's in 8, I still believe they were under graded. But the one thing I can tell you is when you have a hand full of 9's and you see the beauty of the cards, now that gives me a 'warm and fuzzy'. As was mentioned in another thread, "... collect what you like then you will never be disapointed .... " this is so true no matter how much or little you have.

good luck

ChrisKK

jaxxr

RedR,

Hi and welcome, much fine advice and diverse opinion is found on this board.

Keep in mind a graded set, a partially graded set, a set with several different companies mixed, and so on, is quite expensive but quite rewarding. Also there are no deadlines for your target completion rate. So enjoy collecting what you personally like.

I am working on a 1979 BB set, as you stated you're interested in. I bought some rack-pack cases back in the early 80s for five consecutive years and after putting together some sets, reached a personal opinion that it is a very difficult set to complete in high grade. To me the 1977 thru 1981 sets are a little more consistent and easier to get in top condition. Some of the prices for 1979 graded commons and a few stars are truly amazing. Perhaps in the future we might be able to trade some items if you do work on the 79 set. Best of luck.

FB

RedRomad,

If you're looking to start a graded set in the 70's - I think that the 72 set might be a good one for you. There are a number of things in its favor currently that would make it easier for you.

1) Lot of graded cards available since the 70's Set Registry Grading special just finished up 4/15.
2) For the most part, the others in the 72 registry are supportive and helpful plus they have doubles!!
3) There is currently a large volume of graded 72's on eBay.

Just my two cents and welcome to the board!!!

theBobs

If you go with the 1972 guys, do me a single favor. Please, under no circumstance, never, ever, and I mean ever drink the cool-aid.

zardoz51

Hey,

don't forget the wierd initiation ceremony that newbie 72er's are forced to go through

FB

RedRomad,

You can disregard all of the "bad touch, bad touch!" talk from the rabble above... Most of us believe that with all of the open hostility - it can only mean one thing....

Thats right... They're closet 72 collectors...

theBobs

FB is correct, I did just recently purchase my first 1972 Topps graded card (Odom IA). Superior just contacted me, asking to list this set, err I mean card in their next auction -- they are giving me a 2 page layout. I hate to let me 72 set go, but this is an offer too good to pass up. (They are only charging a 40% fee, so we are all winners!)

Sure its a PSA 5 PD, but its a 1 of 1 so it will command a premium. It really should be in a PSA 6 holder, thats where it belongs...


Seriously, I wanted to collect the 72 set, but I couldn't pass the enterance exam. I don't know what Z's excuse will be...

zardoz51

Why don't I collect 72's?

other that the revolting initiation, the kool aid, and the weekly protection payment made to the "so called fab five?

well, the fact is that I saw enough weird colors and psychedelic designs during the sixties. The design for the 1972 must have been made in 67 or 68. Topps was just a little late in getting this cool and groovy design to the marketplace.

I must admit to owning one or two 72's.....................

RedRomad275

I can see how this can be very addictive and exciting to the young and uninitiated collector. You guys sure got me spun up. I think I will put the reigns on and try my luck with just a few graded cards and see how they work out. Thanks for all the advice. I seem to have stumbled blindly on this entire sub-culture of collectors that seem most interesting. My question would be this.........Why the passion of graded cards? I can understand the monetary value but not every collector has that kind of cash?
I think it's great. I guess I can make the comparison to the sport of baseball.......they get paid large sums to play a kids game and we pay large sums to have a kids love of that game.........RedRomad275sends.......

Treetop

The money can add up, when it comes to buying graded cards, But remember, you can set your own budget and time constraint. Some set collectors are working hard to complete there’s as quickly and efficiently as possible. Others (like me) are in no real big hurry, which is evident by my 1960 topps baseball only being 12 percent complete. I bid when I can and don’t over bid. I think some of collectors here will agree having some patience when bidding is very important when building your set, unless you have a big war chest, or “Varga Bucks”, a term that you will learn more about here soon.

I am personally collecting the 1960 set in PSA 7 or better. I find the eye appeal of that year in a PSA 7 or better is breath taking. I also collect graded cards to preserve / protect the card for future generations in a top quality condition. It’s my way of preserving Americana, pop culture, or just a piece of plain old America history.


Now if you have no money, crumbly cards and what them graded fast and in a grade of your choice…….contact the “Great Zardoz51” and his “Z” by night grading company

Vargha

I believe that the current "coin of the realm" is Branca Bucks.