General Question about grading (opinion)

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Posted By: Alan

Hello.

Let's get back to the subject of sportscard collecting...

I have a question I would like to pose to the board. I would like your opinion, if you so choose to give it.

I am currently 9 cards from completing a 1951-52 Laval Dairy Hockey set. (technically, I am 15 cards away from completing 2 different sets.) The overall condition of the set is excellent, with some gards grading a bit better and one or two grading a bit worse, but no worse then vg/ex. Okay, that is the background. Now here is the question:

Once I complete the set, should I have it graded? I don't question the authenticity of the cards, and it isn't a question of whether or not any of the cards are trimmed (they aren't. they are all the same, correct, size.) I guess it comes down to a question of a) aesthetics and b) economics. Like I said, it is a near excellent condition set of 109 cards. If I get it graded, will the value of the set increase approximately $700-$800 from its' current ungraded value to offset the cost of getting all of the cards graded? And is having the set encased in plastic worth the expensive of having all the cards graded? Actually, if I do grade the cards, I would get BOTH sets graded, doubling the above estimates in terms of cost. I plan on holding onto at least one of the sets for the forseeable future, and selling the other one to help feed my collecting addiction. So, what I am asking is, is it worth grading the cards, or should I just leave them ungraded? What are the affects both long and short term in grading this set, or keeping it raw? Your opinions please. Let's get a NICE discussion going, if you all don't mind.