365 Days of Roberto Clemente

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Empty77

Awesome resource Howard. I recall asking before but we didn't finish the discussion: your sense of why PSA will authenticate/label some of these but not others? Is it just a question of what they can know for sure, and if they are unsure about provenance then the default is to not be willing to slab at all and therefore not include in the master list?

There is no obvious rhyme or reason why they do what they do. They claim to only grade items that are listed in a major price guide (Becket or Standard Catalog). How they "think" they can tell the difference between 66-67-68 autograph cards - I don't know - I can't (They don't even have a 1966 graded - or did they mislabel another year?). The fact that they do accept some but do not accept or recognize ALL of the Jay publishing and team issues as identified above - I don't know. Just requested they grade the '56 - they refused. They grade some variations and stupid things like the mini cutouts from the Transogram box, but don't grade other legitimate variations like the 180 back Salada or the wide border 69 Nabisco flakes.
Read the forums for a little while and you will see the general consensus on consistency of their qualitative grading as well. I've gotten stuff back from them and just shake my head sometimes - items that are solid nrmt - come back with a 4-5 grade.
For selling - they are a necessary "evil". For collecting they are a choice - I chose to work on a registry set because I got bored with so little to look for. I am not looking to get 100% complete on it. I have complete bazooka boxes from every year (but 1960) - I don't care about the panels (except 71 numbered) or singles. I will not even send in my 68 or 71 boxes as PSA will bend a flap to fit into their holder!!
Why they do what they do? Because people like me keep sending them money to do it

[docpatlv]

Originally Posted by hcv123

There is no obvious rhyme or reason why they do what they do. They claim to only grade items that are listed in a major price guide (Becket or Standard Catalog). How they "think" they can tell the difference between 66-67-68 autograph cards - I don't know - I can't (They don't even have a 1966 graded - or did they mislabel another year?). The fact that they do accept some but do not accept or recognize ALL of the Jay publishing and team issues as identified above - I don't know. Just requested they grade the '56 - they refused. They grade some variations and stupid things like the mini cutouts from the Transogram box, but don't grade other legitimate variations like the 180 back Salada or the wide border 69 Nabisco flakes.
Read the forums for a little while and you will see the general consensus on consistency of their qualitative grading as well. I've gotten stuff back from them and just shake my head sometimes - items that are solid nrmt - come back with a 4-5 grade.
For selling - they are a necessary "evil". For collecting they are a choice - I chose to work on a registry set because I got bored with so little to look for. I am not looking to get 100% complete on it. I have complete bazooka boxes from every year (but 1960) - I don't care about the panels (except 71 numbered) or singles. I will not even send in my 68 or 71 boxes as PSA will bend a flap to fit into their holder!!
Why they do what they do? Because people like me keep sending them money to do it

Thanks for all the great info Howard. It is a little confusing between the Jay Photos and team issued B&Ws.


Day 231


1968 Topps Managner's Dream...I really like this card, I wish Roberto appeared on more multi-player cards.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by docpatlv

Thanks for all the great info Howard. It is a little confusing between the Jay Photos and team issued B&Ws.

The Jay Publishing from 1955-1957 just say "Pirates". From 1959-1965 The Jays say "Pittsburgh Pirates". The Sports Service/Team issues started in 1960 or 1961 and only say "Pirates" - that's the easiest way to tell the difference between the 2 - narrowing down the year - that took a LONG time!