First and last cards suffered more than other cards. In vg or lower I don't think they should have a premium, but in higher grades they really should.
(Up to maybe 1980 or so after that it doesn't fit well. )
The first set I had many of was 74. I had a binder and pages by the time I got Aaron, and the Aaron specials got the page treatment too.
But the first card in the box got wrecked. Not from having rubber bands, but because I used a toy tractor as a wedge to keep the cards from slumping over in the box. Same went for the last cards 660, 599,499,....I was sorting one day and spilled a glass of juice. The bottom card of each stack was pretty much done for.
Even into the mid 80's dealers at shows would often stack cards with no sleeves and rubber bands. If the customers were gentle the cards did ok, if not they got dented and notched.
So yes, whatever sorting system was used the first and last cards took the bulk of the beating.
Steve B
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