1972 Topps Baseball - Official PSA Thread!

BarkusD · September 13, 2005 10:28PM

In my mind, low pop is a term which is used based upon the population of a given card relative to the popoulations of all other cards in the same set. The Locker is one of the 100 toughest in the 78 set so I think it is a low pop.

lowstartmick · September 13, 2005 10:46PM

Arny- Good luck with the sale . Somehow I still feel that if yourself, Jami and especially David are taken out of the equation the demand for cards with pop's of over 25 in 8 or better are minimal.
Please, I'm not being confrontational but I remember quibbling with a very nice guy over a psa 8 lot that included a drabowsky (23 8's and three 9's) and a gallagher ia (25 8's and 3 9's) and the reason they were included in the lot is because they didn't sell individually on ebay. If I recall correctly there was also a PSA 8, Frank Baker in that lot. I just wonder where the other 22 or more guys were when I was giving these cards away. Hey, at least the cards found a good home....

ArnyVee · September 13, 2005 11:00PM

lowstartmick,

I understand what you're saying about the cards. But, as Dave mentioned, it's really in comparison with the other cards in the set. And, the Locker is a 'low pop' based on the numbers. But, it's all in the demand....you can have a 1 of 1 and it could go unsold, if there's no demand for it. Just so happens that the '72 is a set that is very popular with collectors and the fact that Jami, Dave, JimmyWalnutz & myself (among a few of others) are rather aggressive in attempting to get our sets completed and pick up those lower pop cards to trade with each other and others who might have cards that we need.

When I first started on the '72 set three months ago, I was definitely having an easier time in getting cards at lower prices...but, those low pops were still rather high. With all the recent talk and excitement being generated on these boards with regards to the '72s, it has definitely driven the price up at least 10 to 20% on most cards...even the non-low pop cards out there.

Just my two little rusty pennies worth

beach64 · September 13, 2005 11:37PM

I am not sure why so much emphasis is placed on low pop cards that are not known to be short printed. Who is to say some of the larger dealers across the country dont send in their commons and blow the populations way off. I know before I old off all my sets and commons about 5 years ago (something about my wife wanting to park in the garage), I had well over 200,000 cards from the 70's alone that were straight from the back to sets or storage boxes. I wasnt a dealer just a collector/hoarder. I am sure there are tons of these type people sitting out there as well. A 10 with low pop I understand, a nine maybe. An 8 is to me overpaying for a raririty that probaly doesnt really exist.

Disclamer All above comments do not apply to 1971 Topps

lowstartmick · September 14, 2005 2:12AM

Beach- I agree, to an extent. In the 72 set there are a number of cards that have inherent flaws mostly centering. In some of the series, most notably series 4 , the centering is often compounded by print problems that give the images a "fuzzy" look. Some examples of this would be the Bowa, Baker, Hodges, Nash and a few others which BTW, none are dramatically tough.
The 72 set is relatively new in comparision with other sets and I'm certain the supply of ungraded raw is still pretty plentiful. I know of at least one dealer that must have graded hundreds and hundreds of 9's and 10's in the last year and the supply doesn't seem to be slowing down.
If you examine the pop report and see cards with a smaller amount of straight 8's and 9's and couple that with a higher relative number of 6's 7's and OC cards (or "misses") chances are it will be one of the truly tough ones, because it's actually worth taking the chance of grading them and hoping for minimum grade of 8.
I've followed this set for quite a while and the market is stronger than ever because of the arrival of motivated set builders like Jami, Arny and David (and this thread!). David would be considered by most as the primary driving force because he will continue to bid on the tough cards even once he has at least one copy, which is his perogative.
Traditionally, once a set builder has aquired a tougher card like a Dunning or Blue IA he would stop there. Then the next copy to emerge would sell for less and so on. This would continue until the demand ceased or in some cases set builders will upgrade within grade. The "wait for the next one" approach for the tougher cards doesn't apply in the PSA 8 current market.
In the end it's not about the 100 toughest cards in the set, it comes down to the same handful of cards. I would bet that the day will come when there are 4 or 5 sets over 99 percent and the top dozen or so PSA 8 cards missing from those sets will be ( in no particular order)

117 blue ia
150 norm cash
230 world series
292 mcrae ia
178 schaal ia
708 foli ia
40 barton ia
708 foli ia
542 kendall
496 harrelson bh
443 henderson
582 expos team
524 red rookies

Unless 4 or 5 motivated 8 or better collectors enter the market, no one is going to be worrying about the culps, grzendas and lockers of the set . The market can be artifically inflated forever but in the end something will give . I know that David knows enough, that if he put his tougher dupes on ebay AND took himself out of the equation for the ones he has already it would equate to an almost immediate correction of the market for the overwhelming majority of the cards.

Heck, it seems I'll be at this set for a longtime because when I got bored I sold half and started again , which was my choice. Getting to 100% is very anti-climatic and then what? Shoot for one the top three all time sets sets on the registry? It takes a long time and you'll never get there by sprinting.

lostdart58 · September 14, 2005 4:21AM

Well finally some cards in the mail today...........I FINALLY got the set over the 90% hump......WOOHOO!!!!

lowstartmick · September 14, 2005 4:30AM

Great job Jami! That was quick.

ArnyVee · September 14, 2005 7:04AM

Alright Jami!

Congratulations!

lostdart58 · September 15, 2005 10:28AM

Well I traded off some of my cards ( 2 of my PSA 10s being the main objects of desire)...............These cards have been deleted from my set.............which puts me back at under 90%............Oh well .......it was nice while it lasted...

....but the cards i traded for will arrive in a week or so.....which will get me back over 90%

ArnyVee · September 15, 2005 9:48PM

So Jami, you downgraded those 10s to pick up extra cards that you needed for the set? Just wondering why you'd move those 10s since they seem so tough to acquire for anything less than $100.

lostdart58 · September 15, 2005 11:05PM

<< <i>So Jami, you downgraded those 10s to pick up extra cards that you needed for the set? Just wondering why you'd move those 10s since they seem so tough to acquire for anything less than $100.

>>

Among other things, I receive the same cards back in PSA 9 plus cards I need for my set in PSA 8; including the impossible Fred Kendall card.

smallstocks · September 16, 2005 12:43AM

I have done the same thing Jami has with other sets myself. Sometimes the most important goal is in completing the set, not worrying about having a few PSA 10's. And for some of us money is an object

.

ArnyVee · September 16, 2005 1:44AM

Not that I doubted your decision making Jami, just wanted to make sure that you were still working towards finishing the set rather than moving some expensive cards to generate some cash flow.

Unfortunately, I found out two days ago that I would be laid off. So, I'm now out of work

Although, I've got a couple of guys and gals working on some offers for me, so I won't be without a job for too long. But, in the short term I really have to watch what I spend and sell of some things to generate some cash flow. So, I might be slowing down a bit with the buying....but, still keepin' an eye on things!

lostdart58 · September 16, 2005 5:13AM

I will be continuing to add to my set...........without spending money.

I have my free submissions which I should see in about a month. In it are 6 cards I need for my set. The other 10 cards will be available for buy or trade...........including some mid to low pop.

ArnyVee · September 16, 2005 6:45AM

<< <i>The other 10 cards will be available for buy or trade...........including some mid to low pop. >>

Ooo, ooo....me, me! I'm first!

Keep me in mind Jami! Are there any in there that I need?

BarkusD · September 16, 2005 7:58AM

Jami,
You know that I am always a buyer for the low pops!

ArnyVee · September 17, 2005 7:19AM

Added a couple of cards and it's pushed me over 81%

Here are the stats...8.05 81.07% 6.28

Gotta love it!

ArnyVee · September 18, 2005 11:28PM

After about a half dozen cards that I added, my stats are sitting at.... 8.05 81.70% 6.31

Inching closer to that 82% completion!

smallstocks · September 19, 2005 1:11AM

FWIW guys, I have three low pop. '72's on the bay ending on Thursday night. Crawford #669, Fregosi Traded #755, and Cardenal Traded #757.

Mike

lostdart58 · September 19, 2005 12:50PM

Well, my FREE submissions made it to PSA today and have been officially entered into their system. Who would like to venture a guess of when I will get grades?

I broke down this weekend and bought a few needed cards, and some unneeded cards........My wife is going to kill me.

ArnyVee · September 19, 2005 12:55PM

Jami, same boat here. But, in order to lessen the likelihood of being killed, I've gone ahead and placed a few things to sell on eBay. Including both my 88-89 Fleer Basketball Set (100% complete / #6 All Time), 88-89 Fleer Basketball Sticker Set #3 All Time & 3 '75 Minis that I had dupes of.

If I can bring in some cash, I'll take the heat off of my other spending. Especially in the situation that I'm in right now.

So, if you guys know of anyone that into basketball cards, please let them know about my set for sale. Thanks!

gaspipe26 · September 19, 2005 1:29PM

Any day now, I'll have 95 more 72's.

ArnyVee · September 19, 2005 9:12PM

Very good gaspipe. Would you want to give us '72 wolves first crack at them?

Or, are they going straight to eBay?

lostdart58 · September 19, 2005 10:44PM

.....got the set over 90% again...........I won't be going back......

lostdart58 · September 20, 2005 12:52PM

Mail was good to me today....................got to officially add two of the toughest cards to my set today........Kendell and Dunning.

.....in addition I am also now in possesion of an extra McRae IA PSA 8.......I would like to trade this card out to someone rather then sell it off.

ArnyVee · September 20, 2005 10:25PM

Jami,

PM Sent

lostdart58 · September 21, 2005 4:52AM

Well I checked the order statis on my Freebies and low and behold the grades were there!!.........and after only 48 hours!!

The results are very mixed!!

1 12353263 1972 TOPPS 433 JOHNNY BENCH N/A 8OC
2 12353264 1972 TOPPS 745 JULIAN JAVIER N/A 10
3 12353265 1972 TOPPS 687 DEL UNSER N/A 7
4 12353266 1972 TOPPS 385 MICKEY STANLEY N/A 8
5 12353267 1972 TOPPS 530 DON SUTTON N/A 7
6 12353268 1972 TOPPS 715 MIKE EPSTEIN N/A 5
7 12353269 1972 TOPPS 576 LEO DUROCHER N/A 8
8 12353270 1972 TOPPS 615 STEVE HARGAN N/A 8
9 12353271 1972 TOPPS 717 BRUCE DAL CANTON N/A 7
10 12353272 1972 TOPPS 626 BABE RUTH AWARD N/A 9
11 12353273 1972 TOPPS 387 HORACE CLARKE N/A 8
12 12353274 1972 TOPPS 655 JERRY GROTE N/A 7
13 12353275 1972 TOPPS 125 DAVE CASH N/A 6
14 12353276 1972 TOPPS 327 STEVE STONE N/A 8OC

1 12353277 1972 TOPPS 529 DAVE NELSON N/A 8
2 12353278 1972 TOPPS 419 JIM SPENCER N/A 8

I an dissapointed with the Unser, Sutton, Dal Canton. I am befuddled about the Epstein. I thought the Durocher and Hargan had PSA 9 written all over, and the Ruth Award a possible 10
The Javier blows me away. ...and it is one of a kind!!
The rest were much as I expected......with wishful thinking particularly on the Grote and Cash.

Oh well.......except for S/H it was free experiment.

ArnyVee · September 21, 2005 8:38AM

You can sell off or trade and get some good stuff for that Javier! Great job on that one!

You got a couple of decent ones in there! Not bad for free!

lostdart58 · September 22, 2005 5:21AM

Well. it appears that the EJ Collection set ( Eric Jarvi) has been retired.....

ArnyVee · September 22, 2005 9:38PM

Jami, do you know if Eric is selling any or all of the cards?

lostdart58 · September 22, 2005 10:29PM

<< <i>Jami, do you know if Eric is selling any or all of the cards? >>

I don't know........but I bet we will find out.....

ArnyVee · September 22, 2005 10:49PM

So, he updated the set and retired it?

Well, we'll see if/when the cards hit the market! Hopefully Dave will let us have some of those low pop cards and not try and buy 'em all up!

BarkusD · September 23, 2005 1:43AM

You guys are always welcome to buy low pops from me or outbid me.

ArnyVee · September 23, 2005 9:45PM

OR, if you stay out of the way we can complete our sets!

I understand what you're doing Dave and I don't disagree with getting those hard to find cards and accumulating them for trade or to sell to those desperate folks trying to finish their sets. But, are you going to place a cutoff for yourself of two or three of particular cards before the little guys like Jami and I can end up with a couple of those low pops? I don't have the resources (especially until I find my new job) to outbid you on those puppies. So, just wanted to see if there was a light at the end of the tunnel for me.

ArnyVee · September 25, 2005 10:04PM

Woo hoo...four cards (three of them have been tough for me to get affordable) finally made their way to my set. Two hi #s (O's Team & Dusty Baker), Killebrew IA & Teddy Ballgame.

So, after adding these four, I'm now sitting at....8.05 82.34% 6.39

beach64 · September 25, 2005 10:30PM

It looks like many were bidding on those cards last night. Add to that the 9's and 10's for auction on Saturday and I imagine a few people picked up some cards they need.

ArnyVee · September 26, 2005 12:45AM

Based on some cards that JimmyWalnutz has listed, we should see some interesting prices by the beginning of next week. Nice stuff.

lostdart58 · September 26, 2005 1:34AM

Jimmy has decided to sell off his set. He will be listing all his cards over the next month or so......50 at a pop, is what I was told.....Six months from now I would be all over many of these cards.........but alas not now......

Jimmy was kind enough to put some aside for me.......thanks buddy !!!

lowstartmick · September 26, 2005 3:19AM

Through offline sales, nearly half of the set HIGHEND set is gone already. A bunch of tougher cards, high numbers and remaining stars should hit ebay 30-50 at a time until November, the rest will hit in 2006.

He can be contacted JIMMYWALNUTZ@AOL.COM for offers on what's left.....some tough 9's and a bunch of 10s.

lostdart58 · September 28, 2005 8:33AM

Our thread has fallen off the charts once again........

...it seems the big interest in our set has waned a bit this month. ( Remember last month when 17 of the top 20 had updated their set?)

I will be listing cards later this evening......including three PSA 10's. The PSA 10s should yield me some nice spending/buying cash.

The rest are commons and I know that Arny doesn't need em.

Machodoc · September 28, 2005 10:01AM

Don't worry, I have a feeling that there will be some more update flags popping up soon, and who knows, maybe even a ranking change near (but not at) the top....

SW

ArnyVee · September 28, 2005 11:18AM

Interesting news MachoDoc.

Well, even though Dave outbid me on 'another' Dunning card.....I finally got ahold of ...THE MCRAE IA!! Woo hoo!

Made a deal 'off-eBay' to get it done!

I'm sitting at about 82.5% complete now. My new goal is to hit 90% before the end of the year. So, we'll see how close we get!

lowstartmick · September 28, 2005 11:42AM

Alot of cards have been sold offline lately, I'm curious to see the impact it has on the registry. I know that one member just made a HUGE offline buy.

ArnyVee · September 28, 2005 11:51AM

Wow, that HUGE looks HUGE Mick! LOL

Is it someone coming from way downtown? Or, just a top guy getting upgraded?

BarkusD · September 28, 2005 11:58AM

Arny, I still need the McCrae In Action. If your asking price is reasonable I would be willing to trade you a number of cards for it (including a Dunning).

ArnyVee · September 28, 2005 12:35PM

Hmmm...."reasonable" is an interesting word.

I doubt that I'd like to deal that card Dave. But, if I got an offer that would completely knock my socks off....I might consider it.

ArnyVee · September 28, 2005 11:42PM

Jami, good luck with your three 10s that you listed! I know that you'll end up getting some nice cash for that Javier card! 1/1? Wow! What do you think it'll end at? $200? $250?

There's your spending cash to buy up some of those cards that you need here and there, right?

BarkusD · September 29, 2005 12:50AM

I have approximately 580 graded 72s available. If you are interested in 72s, send me a PM or email to Barkusd@gtlaw.com and I can send you my spreadsheet. I have great starter sets of PSA 8s or 9s for anyone looking to start the set as well as a good selection of the low pops many guys are still seeking.

lowstartmick · September 29, 2005 2:03AM

Arny , I think the Javier 1/1/ ten will do better than 250. Because,

a- 1/1
b- pretty tough in any 8 or better grade
c- high number
d- prices for 1/1 10's have been going up

Jami, Good Luck with the sale!

lostdart58 · September 29, 2005 2:32AM

Started the three PSA 10 at the minimun I would accept............ I watched a PSA 10 1/1 go last week for $192, but it was not a high number.

I would be pleased with anything over $200.....

by the way....I did have 14 commons ready to be listed last night, but sold them all before I could even list them.....

This would be post #500 in our little thread.

1972 Topps Baseball - Official PSA Thread!

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