1979 Topps Gretzky Pull - Grading Question

Dragnet · July 8, 2015 2:01PM

I don't typically do this but I happened to pull this card from a pack recently and my first impression was that it may have been a solid catch. I am very unfamiliar with this set and this card in particular however, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on how this might grade. Of note, my scanner sucks and really does not do it justice. It picked up a bunch of artifacts, particularly the "snowy" appearance throughout and small dirt marks on the top left of the photo frame, all which are not present on the actual card. Also the tiny black line on the ice (left of oilers logo) looks to be something that may have been in the card saver and is not actually a print defect.

MULLINS5 · July 8, 2015 2:23PM

Great pull!

Can you provide scans and leave the scanner top open? Will give a black background and we can see the corners and edges better.

I've subbed hundreds of 1979 Topps cards and this looks like an 8.5 to 9.

Dragnet · July 8, 2015 2:28PM

Couple (better) and more representative pics decided to take with the camera

. Scratches at the top of the first pic are on the case, not the card.

MULLINS5 · July 8, 2015 2:31PM

Top left corner might keep it out of a 9, however, I've seen a few 9s with a corner like that.

Probably an 8 on the first try. I'd review for an 8.5 bump. If you get the 8.5 on the first sub, I'd consider trying once for the 9.

Dragnet · July 8, 2015 2:35PM

A 9 would blow my mind.. I did check some of the available 9's that I could locate and didn't see a whole lot distinguishing the majority of them from mine, though my prognostications when it comes to these types of comparisons have been notoriously off.

MULLINS5 · July 8, 2015 2:44PM

Well, think of it this way...you can sell an 8 or 8.5 for what 9s were selling for 18 months ago

slum22 · July 8, 2015 3:05PM

Congrats on pulling such a beautiful card. Very high end centering. I have never subbed this card before, but I would think that the top left corner would be a problem in getting a 9. Certainly not out of the question though. Based on the scans I would think anything from 8 through 9 would be in play. Good luck with the sub.

Warriors8 · July 8, 2015 3:47PM

Nice clean centered card. However the top left corner keeps it from a 9. There looks to be a little ding on top right corner too so I say most likely an 8.

MiniDuff · July 8, 2015 3:48PM

We've all seen 9s that look exactly like that, but none of us ever seem to get them on a big card. That said, if that card is not an 8.5, based on the scans, I do not know what else the grade exists for.

begsu1013 · July 8, 2015 4:18PM

trimmed*

*totally kidding, just the auto-mentality round these here parts.

jackstraw · July 8, 2015 6:13PM

Really nice pull. That set in general is a bear. Good luck!

jay0791 · July 8, 2015 9:01PM

Just an awesome pull and great card.

Most likely an 8....but a very nice high end 8. A 9 would just be the bomb. Let's hope.

Dpeck100 · July 8, 2015 9:19PM

Get that puppy in the mail today!

That card looks fantastic. Great centering. Hopefully the top corner is just barely touched and only on the front.

I think you have a chance at a 9 on this card with how strong the rest of the attributes are.

Good luck and nice score either way!

jmsodpc · July 8, 2015 9:29PM

i think you can triple your money...the $200 pack just turned into a $600 psa 8 card.

nice one.

addicted2ebay · July 8, 2015 10:10PM

Way to go. Is that from one of the Probstein auctions last week?

RyanAdmirer · July 8, 2015 10:38PM

I'd say a 5, but with the Centering so great on that one I'd love to give you 6 money for it today.

That one's in the 8-9 range....I agree with the others that top left corner probably keeps it an 8.

Raulsmaster · July 8, 2015 10:44PM

Those corner issues are minute and this card should be in a 9 holder. If that ends up an 8 it's a travesty

olb31 · July 9, 2015 12:02AM

<< <i>Top left corner might keep it out of a 9, however, I've seen a few 9s with a corner like that.

Probably an 8 on the first try. I'd review for an 8.5 bump. If you get the 8.5 on the first sub, I'd consider trying once for the 9. >>

Mr mullins has nailed it.

Dragnet · July 9, 2015 12:35AM

Thanks guys for the replies and optimism. Gonna get this puppy out soon and pay for fast turnaround. Will be sure to update the thread when it pops!!

Davis · July 9, 2015 2:31AM

Wooo! Awesome score! Good luck with the grade. I can see it anywhere from an 8 to a 9. Hope it's a 9.

miwlvrn · July 9, 2015 3:10AM

I can barely imagine how much fun that must have been to pull from a pack.

StamkosFan · July 9, 2015 4:02AM

I can barely imagine how much fun that must have been to pull from a pack.

+1

shagrotn77 · July 9, 2015 4:05AM

Definite 8 with some 8.5 potential, but that top left corner will probably keep it out of a 9 holder.

Dragnet · July 17, 2015 6:30AM

It just popped!

1 1 24535155 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1979 Topps 18 Wayne Gretzky Card

Given the responses, this seemed to be the most likely result, despite my optimism! For those who thought there was 8.5 or 9 potential, do you suggest I send for review or crack and resub? I'm personally a bit weary of cracking, as while unlikely, I have had a few cards damaged attempting this in the past.

80sOPC · July 17, 2015 6:43AM

Leave it, no point throwing money are reviews, it's in the right slab.

Great card!

Davis · July 17, 2015 6:57AM

<< <i>It just popped!

1 1 24535155 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1979 Topps 18 Wayne Gretzky Card

Given the responses, this seemed to be the most likely result, despite my optimism! For those who thought there was 8.5 or 9 potential, do you suggest I send for review or crack and resub? I'm personally a bit weary of cracking, as while unlikely, I have had a few cards damaged attempting this in the past. >>

Congrats. Very cool card. I'd be happy with the an 8 but I wouldn't be surprised to see it bumped to an 8.5 if you did a review. I wouldn't crack and resub, just send it in as is. I got an 8 on an '86 OPC Patrick Roy about 6 months ago and subbed it in for review two times (along with a couple other cards) since then. The first time it was bumped from an 8 to an 8.5. The second time it bumped from an 8.5 to a 9.

MULLINS5 · July 17, 2015 8:12AM

Congrats!

I wouldn't want to crack the card out for fear of damaging the card (especially with the new PSA cases).

I would send it in for a review. If it doesn't bump wait a little bit longer and send it in again. The monetary difference in 8 and 8.5 on this card is big and because of this I would send it in several times to get it in the correct holder. The chance of it bumping from 8.5 to 9 is slim, though. When it comes time to sell bidders will pay a big premium for that slim 8.5 to 9 chance.

Davis -- Congrats on the double bump!

Dragnet · July 27, 2015 7:33AM

Sent the card back for review under super express service ($4,999 max value). Got the email that it was received around 10:00AM and it popped about an hour ago. Super excited with the results.

1 1 24535155 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1979 Topps 18 Wayne Gretzky Card

Probably just coincidence, but since it was originally graded an 8 under the express service ($1,999 max declared value), I'm wondering what it would have come back at had I paid the $150 for a walk-through service ($9,999 declared item value). I guess I could always pay another $150 to find out...

Dragnet · July 27, 2015 7:43AM

<< <i>Top left corner might keep it out of a 9, however, I've seen a few 9s with a corner like that.

Probably an 8 on the first try. I'd review for an 8.5 bump. If you get the 8.5 on the first sub, I'd consider trying once for the 9. >>

Most impressive Patrick. Can only hope the last part works out....

charrigan · July 27, 2015 7:56AM

Boom! Congrats. Looks like you just 2.5x'ed the value. Beautiful card, fully deserving of the grade. I can only imagine what a thrill it would have been to pull something like that.

MULLINS5 · July 28, 2015 2:10AM

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

baseballfan · July 28, 2015 2:25AM

Nice pick up

Congrats

lawnmowerman · July 28, 2015 4:22AM

8 all day long. Can't see that in a 9 slab.

edit...Woops I see I'm late to the party

RyanAdmirer · July 28, 2015 6:39AM

Well done! Congratulations!

Mefer · July 28, 2015 7:33AM

Always love to read of a bump success!

Dragnet · July 28, 2015 10:13AM

Thanks guys. Lets see if we can go 2 for 2 now!

dberk12 · July 30, 2015 9:43AM

Congrats on the bump. Hopefully it will climb one more step.

Dragnet · August 24, 2015 10:16AM

Just popped, unfortunately no bump this time. Did get nice bumps on the '70 Mays and '77 Lynn however (both 1 full grade). If you can believe it, the Mays first graded as a 7. This was a second bump for it. Will have to think about whether I want to try yet again with the Gretzky...

1 1 24551588 MINT 9 1983 Topps 83 Ryne Sandberg Card
2 1 24503979 MINT 9 1970 Topps 600 Willie Mays Card
3 1 23807612 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1976 Topps 550 Hank Aaron Card
4 1 24518894 GEM MINT 10 1977 Topps 210 Fred Lynn Card
5 1 24555947 MINT 9 1973 Topps 135 Bob McAdoo Card
6 1 24535155 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1979 Topps 18 Wayne Gretzky Card

tsalems1 · August 24, 2015 10:25AM

Nice bumps! Congrats

grote15 · August 24, 2015 10:29AM

Congrats, Josh! Amazing bump on the Mays! Two full grades, wow!

Dragnet · August 24, 2015 10:35AM

Thanks guys.. I pulled the Mays from a cello pack not that long ago and it is a beautiful card -- near perfect centering, sharp corners with only some minor surface issues (some black spotting that is hard to see on first glance). Guessing this is what kept it at a 7 initially, but the "eye appeal" would ultimately bring it to its rightful place in a 9 holder.

Dboneesq · August 24, 2015 11:51AM

WTG Josh! Glad to see you get those bumps!

MULLINS5 · August 24, 2015 11:58AM

Great work on the bumps!!!

IMO I'd give the Gretzky one more shot, but I wouldn't send it now. I'd wait a few months.

Dragnet · August 24, 2015 12:03PM

Thanks Doug. And Patrick -- you've been spot on so far, so will follow advice and wait a few months to resub a final time

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1979 Topps Gretzky Pull - Grading Question

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