Should the autograph affect the grade?

ripkenintheminors · July 4, 2008 7:14AM

Greetings all, hope everyone is having a great 4th.

This discussion comes from a e-mail conversation that I recently had with someone over a card. It got me to thinking and I wanted to get the thoughts of others on the board, especially since there is such a big TTM base.

I saw a card that I was interested in that had been autographed. It wasn't an autographed issue, but a card signed after release. The card had been graded by BGS as an 8 and also had the grade for the autograph. The interesting thing is that the card that was signed was graded an 8, which is the highest grade ever issued for the card among all of the major grading services. With that being said, the seller felt that the card should get every cent that an unsigned 8 would sell for and then some for the sig.

Is it fair to say that the card is still an 8 and should get 8 $, even though the sig is of the player on the card? Should the autograph on the card lower the grade of the card? I look forward to the responses.

mkg809 · July 4, 2008 7:23AM

I've struggled with this also.
Sometimes I think a graded autographed card should get the MK distinction.
I guess to each his own.

thenavarro · July 4, 2008 7:29AM

I collect autographed cards and I believe the card should still get 8 money and is legitimately graded as long as the signature on it is the player on the card. However, I believe the seller should definitely disclose the fact that it is signed and not just say BGS 8 of player xxxxxx. To me, an autograph enhances the card and doesn't devalue it and should make it more desirable, but I realize that's what I like and others might have a difference of opinion.

By the way, what card are you looking at?

Mike

fkw · July 4, 2008 7:31AM

It all depends on the card and the player.

Who's the player? Was the card a rare card?

ripkenintheminors · July 4, 2008 7:37AM

The card in question is one of Cal's 1980 minor league issues (blue). It's Cal's 2nd toughest issue and was apparently signed in 1982.

VitoCo1972 · July 4, 2008 7:37AM

<< <i>It all depends on the card and the player.

Who's the player? Was the card a rare card? >>

Exactly. If you find a T206 wagner signed that was in 7 shape, it'll sell for WAY less than it would without the sig (at least I would think), then again HOF Rookie collectors may make up for the price difference.

Ahmanfan · July 4, 2008 8:03AM

I would think that a signed rc of clemente would sell for much more than a comperable grade non signed one, however.
Myself I would put more value on a signed rc than an unsigned rc.
John

Should the autograph affect the grade?

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