Greg:
You really understand the challenges facing this type of collection. For what it's worth, I'll share my viewpoint on each of your questions even though they were probably meant to be rhetorical:
I would agree that the rookie card would be the first issue that the player appeared as a Major Leaguer.
I would categorize minor league issues separately, using the term, pre-rookie or prookie for short.
No requirment for a set to be nationally distributed to be a rookie card.
No team cards count as rookie cards, I typically set the limit at 4 players as Topps has done that traditionally with their rookie cards over the years. This should not be too controversial as there is rarely a card that falls between a full team card and a 4-player card.
I too strongly prefer a TPG (PSA, SGC or BGS) as they add additional legitimacy to the item, although grading detractors will tell you otherwise.
You're right, a particular rookie card may not be the most attractive card of a particular player (see 1920's strip cards for example) but it is what it is.
Lastly, thank you for the kind words.
|