About to Start Collecting Obaks: So 2 Questions

[GregMitch34]

1) Does the tax stamp on the 1911 red backs cause grade reductions and/or price reductions or are they so common it does not really matter?

2) What, in your opinion, are the most beautiful examples as I would like to start with one of the nicest....thanks.

[npa589]

1. a) Grade reductions: For SGC, I haven't seen them reduce a grade because of the tax stamp. They designate "Stamped back" on each respective example. I now believe PSA is doing the same thing, but I do not believe that was always the case. I recently sent in 70 to be graded by PSA and they returned with "Stamped Back" designations. Also, for the examples that only had a "tax stamp", they did not assign the card with a MK qualification.

b) Price reduction: I have not seen a price reduction for any of the tax stamped backs. I had a few cards that had a MK qualifier because of an "Edward Morrison" stamp that appeared to be done at the same time as the tax stamp. I priced those a little lower, but they've still been selling. If the example is just a "Stamped Back" with no MK, there will be no premium, but there will also most likely be no hit. This is probably because the stamp is so common that collectors of the set do not care, and may even look for examples all with stamped backs.

2) I think there are many examples to choose from with regard to the most visually appealing. It's all about personal preference.


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[Leon]

Are you going to collect all 3 sets? That will help in determining a cool card to go for....but as Nate said, it's really personal preference.

[GregMitch34]

Thanks. I will probably wing it at first, though probably start with the 1911s. Love the red backs, for one thing. Just picked up my first card, which may give you some idea of aesthetic preferences:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1911-T212-Ob...item1c27b1bacb

[Anthony S.]

1911 is a great looking set. I've attached scans of a few of the more colorful cards. You can also use the link in my signature to check out the 1909 set.

[Anthony S.]

A few more.

[GregMitch34]

Thanks, first card I just bought was one of the 12 you sent, the Akin.

[three25hits]

Originally Posted by npa589

1. a) Grade reductions: For SGC, I haven't seen them reduce a grade because of the tax stamp. They designate "Stamped back" on each respective example. I now believe PSA is doing the same thing, but I do not believe that was always the case. I recently sent in 70 to be graded by PSA and they returned with "Stamped Back" designations. Also, for the examples that only had a "tax stamp", they did not assign the card with a MK qualification.
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Previously, SGC treated the stamp as a "mark" and discounted the numeric grade as such. There are still cards in circulation graded under this standard.

At some point, they switched their policy (after much input from collectors, several on this forum). I recall there being threads here describing the ongoing efforts but couldn't find them through search. I remember several of us at several nationals advancing the issue.

If I had to hazard a guess, in 2005 or so there was still a discount. Perhaps 06/07 SGC changed their policy maybe later.

I believe all of these are possible to find in slabs

SGC number discounted as an ink mark (I have many submitted in 2005 with this being the case)
SGC number not discounted, designated "stamped back"
SGC number but no mention (I am foggy here, I'd have to check my cards to verify)

[tbob]

Originally Posted by three25hits

Previously, SGC treated the stamp as a "mark" and discounted the numeric grade as such. There are still cards in circulation graded under this standard.

At some point, they switched their policy (after much input from collectors, several on this forum). I recall there being threads here describing the ongoing efforts but couldn't find them through search. I remember several of us at several nationals advancing the issue.

If I had to hazard a guess, in 2005 or so there was still a discount. Perhaps 06/07 SGC changed their policy maybe later.

I believe all of these are possible to find in slabs

SGC number discounted as an ink mark (I have many submitted in 2005 with this being the case)
SGC number not discounted, designated "stamped back"
SGC number but no mention (I am foggy here, I'd have to check my cards to verify)

Absolutely correct. I collected and completed all 4 sets (I include the 1910 150 series as a separate set) about 10 years ago and SGC was brutal at that time about the stamps on the back. I have 150 series cards which are the best known but which have the stamped back and many are 30s and 40s instead of 60s or 70s. I have thought about re-submitting them now, but honestly don't care since it is the only complete set on either registry. Ditto the 1909s I have which were graded by PSA and SGC, they were reduced in grade because of the stamps.