Topps Heritage - technical grade question
 

Would appreciate some help from the Heritage experts out there…

Particularly with the earliest years of Heritage, the stock and surfaces have a “faux vintage” look and feel. The front surfaces even exhibit a “wavy” texture and almost look like they have little wrinkles. Clearly this is engineered but I see some examples where it has seemingly worsened over time.

I was thinking of having the key SPs and Rookies graded. My question for those of you that have experience getting these cards graded: how does PSA or SGC evaluate these surfaces? Have I somehow damaged these cards by having them just in cardboard storage boxes of the last 20 years?

thanks
Mike

I doubt it, unless your house humidity is high.

Post some clear pictures of the issue you are trying to explain; it will help us determine whether or not they're worth grading. Normally a surface wrinkle on the back (which seems to be what you're describing) would knock a grade down to PSA 6. Is your reading for grading due to monetary increase or personal collection reasons? I would definitely recommend you wait a few more years before going down the grading path since the minimum price right now is $100 each at PSA, or like $30 at SGC.

I agree with that...any grading would be after more cost effective grading options return.

I tried to take a couple of pictures to show what I am describing, but they frankly arent very good. In the first picture you can see the "wavy" nature of the front surface in the area where the glare is reflecting.

They have not been subjected to adverse humidity or other negative environmental conditions. This 2015 Posey shows a bit of what I am seeing, but it seems worse the further back you go...I think the 2001 version is on even thicker stock and they seem to be "bowing" and almost "warping" a bit. The integrity of the actual stock is not compromised, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't affect the actual technical grade unless, like with rough-cut o-pee-chee cards, it is deemed "natural" for the issue.

I realize I am probably way overthinking this, particularly when there might be only a dozen cards worth enough even to grade...but my desire to have NrMt-Mt sets is compelling me to understand better

I would not worry about those personally. That's just the natural card stock. Even slight bowing is okay as long as it doesn't create spider creases.

But when submission prices are back down to somewhat normal, send 5 in just to confirm PSA will see it that way as a trial balloon.

Thanks John. That’s a good idea. The “spider creases” is a better way to describe what I am seeing…it looks like in some of the older vintages the “wavy” and bowing is starting to get more pronounced….again, not talking about uber-valuable stuff but worth noting. Happy new year