How is this a PSA 8???

[the 'stache]

Blackie, I don't know if I would call that card ugly. I would agree with you that PSA was a little generous with their grade, but it's a 1958 Topps in nice shape. And, in my humble opinion, no 1958 Topps in nice shape should ever be called ugly. That's analogous to saying "look at that ugly Rembrandt painting", or "what an ugly Playboy Playmate."

I tend to be a very tough grader, but the majority of the cards I've inspected since returning to the hobby have been modern cards. I am still developing my "eye" for grading vintage cards. I can see a card's flaws, but I do not yet have the experience necessary to accurately grade a card based on those flaws.

Here's my thinking in critiquing this card. First of all, it's 54 years old. So not only has the card been in circulation for quite a long time, the technology used in producing cards back then was different than it is today.

The card has nice eye appeal. The colors are bright, the surface of the card is free of any real damage-no stains, tears, creases or scratches. The focus of the picture is pretty nice. The centering is pretty nice for the time period (the picture slightly high and to the left); approximately 40/60 left to right, and top to bottom. The bottom edge and corners are rough, but not terrible. There's no paper loss.

I'd probably give this a 6.5, 7 tops.