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to grade or not to grade???

I just purchased a small (2400 cards) lower grade collection of late 1950s - early 1960s baseball cards. Included were cards such as 1954 Topps Aaron (G/VG), 1955 Topps Koufax (VG), 1955 Topps Mays (G), 1958 Topps Ted Williams (EX), and 1959 Topps Mantle (many creases). At one time, I belonged to PSA, but I let my membership lapse. I'm wondering whether it is worth the $15 or so per card to have several of these graded before I sell them. In looking at Completed Listings on eBay, it seems that raw cards bring fairly close to what graded ones bring. But then I look at 707 Sportscards, and I see that often they seem to get more than SMR value for even PSA 2 and 3 cards. Any thoughts on whether I might benefit from getting several cards graded, even if they are only 2's, 3's, and 4's?

Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

Comments

  • PoppaJPoppaJ Posts: 2,818
    David,

    Personally, I'd get them graded to eliminate doubts of trimming/authenticity etc. by
    potential bidders/buyers.

    The 54 Aaron in PSA 2-3 would probably bring at least $300.

    A few of the other HOFers' cards might be worth the $15 fee, but the 55 Mays in PSA 2 would
    only fetch about $80-85, so you'd have to make the call.

    Maybe you could piggyback on another board member's sub to save a few bucks.

    Levi's (707) prices are set for the elite and/or impulse card buyer; very overpriced.

    PoppaJ



  • onebamafanonebamafan Posts: 1,318 ✭✭
    agreed...........
  • earlycalguyearlycalguy Posts: 1,247 ✭✭
    with the specials psa has been running, several of those would fit into the $8 or so specials they have been running
  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the advise. I wasn't really aware that you could get cards graded for $6 by PSA if the card is valued at less than $100. However, I sometimes wonder if the grading cost is offset by a higher realized price (on eBay).

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • AhmanfanAhmanfan Posts: 4,419 ✭✭✭✭
    Aaron for sale?
    John
    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    Aaron is for sale. I have attached scans of front and back with this post (I hope).

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    Sorry, I don't know how to attach the scans. Help?

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • First, turn on your PM(private messages).
  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    My problem in not attaching a scan of the Aaron card seems to be that when I try to upload the "file", it says that the attachment is over the maximum attachment size limit of 50 KB. Any suggestions on how I can attach the scan and show the card? Thanks.

    judgebuck

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • AhmanfanAhmanfan Posts: 4,419 ✭✭✭✭
    you don't necessarily have to attach it to the post, you could just give us a link to where you host it (such as on photobucket.com)

    John
    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    Aaron scan attached: (I hope.)

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • corvette1340corvette1340 Posts: 3,384 ✭✭✭
    do yo have any '61's in the lot and what condition are they in?
  • magellanmagellan Posts: 2,099 ✭✭✭
    I agree with PoppaJ on grading most of them, sometimes the lower grade cards are the ones that will sell for more raw. I'd be interested in any 54's, 55's, & 57's and Red Sox from any year through '64.
    Topps Heritage

    Now collecting:
    Topps Heritage

    1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
    All Yaz Items 7+
    Various Red Sox
    Did I leave anything out?
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Is it me or was that Aaron trimmed to fit into a 9 ppcket sheet?


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    There are some 1961s in the collection I purchased. No high numbers or Mantles. The nicer ones are: Gibson (2), Drysdale, Koufax, Banks, Mathews, and Musial. I'm not too good on posting pictures, as you can see from this thread, but I will try to attach scans if anyone wants to see any of them. I also don't know how to use photobucket. I'll take any suggestions on how to better post or attach scans. The Banks, Mathews, and Musial are not centered as well. There were also 50 or so nice commons.

    judgebuck

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • judgebuckjudgebuck Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭
    As for Red Sox cards, there are a couple of Ted Williams: 1955 Topps (lower grade), 1958 Topps (no creases), 1958 Topps All Star (no creases), and 1960 Fleer (nice!!). 1956 Topps Red Sox team, also.

    Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Buck

    Is the 54 Aaron the same size as the 61's? Or is it larger?

    Never mind I think the scale of the pix threw me off.

    I'd get it graded myself, even though I would not grade it as G/VG


    Steve
    Good for you.
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