Eye Appeal - Creases, Color, Corners, etc
 

I had a debate with a friend about this recently, but just curious what do you typically prioritize when purchasing for eye appeal?

The two Cobbs we debated are attached grading a 2 and 1.5.

I prefer the bottom one. Creases really bother me. Even when only visible in the right light.

I’m not a fan of “across the body” creases but the centering, color and registration is better on that one.

That being said, I’d keep shopping.

I prefer well centered and bold colors.
Creases are fine with me as long as it doesn't go through the face of the player.

I like the top one better.

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For lower end cards like those 2 my most important thing is no creases, paper loss, or markings on the players face. Then registration, color, severity of creases, paper loss, holes, and any added markings on the card.

Things that don't matter are centering and corner wear.

I prefer the bottom card, but could live with either. Creases aren't a deal breaker if they aren't that distracting, such as over the face or a focal point. I also tend to stay away from paper loss and markings. Certainly can be more forgiving on cards that are much more rare. With a card like the Cobb, if it's a common back, you have MANY opportunities to find an example that appeals to you.

Of those two, I prefer the second one.

Having said that, I would honestly reject both, and keep looking.

Steve

I know for a lot of vintage collectors, centering is the first thing they notice. For me, however, it's corner wear. Then it's creasing, and finally centering, in terms of prioritizing. Oh, I forgot about registration, which would be about equal to centering in my opinion.

For low grade, centering first, then registration followed by corners. I try and avoid creases if possible. Depending on the card, creases are not a deal breaker. Since the centering is about equal on your two examples, I'd prefer the bottom one since it has less creasing.

Want to add that I also try and avoid major paper loss. Minor paper loss on the back is acceptable depending on severity and location.

I'm OCD about centering so that always comes first for me, colors and corners can be interchangeable depending on the card, for example, corners are least important on a card like an E224. Or that Cobb E98 that's currently for sale that has that white spot between his head and his glove. If I bought that card all I would do is stare at that white spot. I'll wait to buy until I can afford the card that clicks with me instead of buying a placeholder.

I'd say the two cards you showed make it really easy to select the one without the heavy creasing. I'm usually a sucker for registration and colors first, but the misregistration on card #2 is very light to be almost unnoticeable. Two large creases through the image would make #1 very far behind the first one.

These comments apply to cards where there is a decent selection available. While I still prefer cards that follow my criteria, I'll break every one of my rules for unique or exceptionally rare cards I can't find anywhere else.

For me centering is essential. I don't always require perfect 50-50, but if it's anything beyond 60-40 I'm moving on to something else.

Color and registration are right alongside centering in terms of priority, I can't stand blurry, out-of-focus images on cards and won't buy one with that problem. Give me a low grade with bright fresh colors over a higher technical grade with faded dull colors.

Creases are entirely dependent on where they are located. Out of the way corner creases are a non-issue, but I hate creases that run right through the image.

Corners barely matter to me at all. Unless you're dealing with mega money, soft or worn corners are a fact of life with pre-war cards. I prefer all 4 corners be worn evenly, but don't really care if one corner has taken a disproportionate amount of wear.

Centering makes zero difference to me. I only concern myself with handling from collectors, not factory mishaps. Corner wear is not a big deal at all either. Excessive creasing, paper loss, writing are deal breakers. To each their own.

It's awesome there are so many different views on what makes collectors tick.

It's centering for me but having all of the best characteristics is best. Another BST purchase.

Fantastic card Leon. I Couldn't agree more.

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28378https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28376

Creasing is my number one no no along with paper loss or writing on the front. I would rather have an off centered card than one with a crease. After that corners, centering and registration. The bottom card for me with less creasing.

My opinion
 

Limited to the choice of the 2 cards pictures, - card #2 all day long.

Priorities for lower grade cards for me

1) No surface damage (creases, paper loss, writing, tape)
2) Centering
3) registration
4) relatively even corner wear

Definitely #2 for me....

Creasing is a deal-killer. My OCD eyes go right to the crease first, before I can even digest the card itself.

Good centering is a nice plus, but that's how the card was originally made. So off-centering does not bother me, unless it's terribly distracting (worse than 90-10).

I'm also a lover of the low grade but beautiful Cobb. I don't like creases and have much more wiggle room for a little paper loss:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f73be0b1_z.jpg

I'm with you. Top card for sure.

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Color and registration are more important to me than creases, rounded corners, centering or back damage. Most of my cards(that fit) are in 20 slot sheets in a binder because I like flipping pages and actually viewing them. Even color coordinating the pages so there's a theme.

I can put up with some creasing in a well-centered and well-focused card.

Creasing
 

I like the 2nd one much better. I hate major creases. But I'd want to review the backs, also, for comparison. If either has paper loss on the back, that's even worse IMO.

ha i had no idea opinions varied so widely. I'm fairly new to vintage so still trying to figure out the norms, but noticeable/heavy creases and paper loss are an eye sore for me - on the back of the card is less of an issue though. after that i'd prioritize registration, but at the low end of vintage i've come to terms with some off centering and rounded corners.