major auction houses a lesson to be learned

[Peter_Spaeth]

The presented 1940 Play Ball example of Ted Williams has been extremely conservatively graded NM/MT 8 by the increasingly demanding graders at PSA. Never before have we ever offered a PSA 8 example of any card from any set with such an obvious abundance of decidedly above-grade features. Well-formed NM/MT+ bottom corners bow to superior MINT+ to GEM MINT top points between indubitably undeviating MINT edges around a sensationally MINT surface that displays a characteristically granular appearance completely devoid of any significantly extraneous print that wouldn't be tolerated on a MINT and perhaps even GEM MINT example. The contrast, that is, the relative difference between the lighter and darker areas of the image, is as strong as the sepia-toned print of the '40 Play Ball issue permits, while the thin lines encompassing Teddy's classic pose, as well as the nostalgic baseball-themed design girding the immaculate nameplate at bottom, show no breaks or skips, as they often do, and boast such tremendous saturation that they in fact appear black to the naked eye. The reverse text is equally as impressive, with noticeably bold registration and no perceivable fading or other common inadequacies indicative of the conservatively opined evaluation. Process of elimination brings us back to the front surface in search of a marginal deficiency responsible for the grade, but I still see no apparent faults, even with a 15x loop, that would exclude this pack-fresh blazer not just from a NM/MT+ 8.5 grade, but from a comfortable and clearly convincing fit in a MINT 9 holder. Is it the top-to-bottom centering? Is it not at least 35/65, the stipulated minimum tolerance for MINT 9? Or am I simply losing my mind after writing too many descriptions today? No, yes, and... probably! But, seriously, friends, any which way you inspect and admire this stimulating 1940 Play Ball example of "The Kid," its admirable condition can be summed up with one simple term, never before so appropriate and true: HIGH END! No, check that. This prized pasteboard is EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH END!