Does anyone collect raw cards exclusively in this age of TPG???

[tedzan]

This display tells you where I stand on this subject.

I just love to flip thru my albums of card sets contained within quality plastic pages. And for my high value cards,
I prefer high quality mylar, instead of hard plastic rectangles with arbitrary numbers that may not actually reflect
the card's grade.






TED Z
__________________________________________________ ______________________

LOOKING FOR these T206 guys to complete my AMERICAN BEAUTY 460 sub-set

AMES....CAMNITZ....CRAWFORD (bat)....DOYLE (port)....JORDAN (bat)....MARQUARD
McGRAW (port-cap).....McQUILLAN (bat).....TINKER (bat off).....WILTSE (port-cap)

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by tedzan

This display tells you where I stand on this subject.

I just love to flip thru my albums of card sets contained within quality plastic pages. And for my high value cards,
I prefer high quality mylar, instead of hard plastic rectangles with arbitrary numbers that may not actually reflect
the card's grade.

TED Z
__________________________________________________ ______________________

LOOKING FOR these T206 guys to complete my AMERICAN BEAUTY 460 sub-set

AMES....CAMNITZ....CRAWFORD (bat)....DOYLE (port)....JORDAN (bat)....MARQUARD
McGRAW (port-cap).....McQUILLAN (bat).....TINKER (bat off).....WILTSE (port-cap)

A picture is worth a thousand words.

So, I should let the boys loose is what you're inferring?

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by tedzan

This display tells you where I stand on this subject.

I just love to flip thru my albums of card sets contained within quality plastic pages. And for my high value cards,
I prefer high quality mylar, instead of hard plastic rectangles with arbitrary numbers that may not actually reflect
the card's grade.






TED Z
__________________________________________________ ______________________

LOOKING FOR these T206 guys to complete my AMERICAN BEAUTY 460 sub-set

AMES....CAMNITZ....CRAWFORD (bat)....DOYLE (port)....JORDAN (bat)....MARQUARD
McGRAW (port-cap).....McQUILLAN (bat).....TINKER (bat off).....WILTSE (port-cap)

That's awesome, Ted.

I have yet to acquire a graded card. I will bid on one, every once in a while... but I collect for the love the designs and the team and/or player. The "raw" ones are mostly more affordable and I usually don't spend a lot, so I'm guessing that there's a much less chance of fakes making their way into my collection. An odd scrawl or kid's name can actually add to the charm of the card. (not all the time, mind you... ha ha)

[Leon]

I have most of my more expensive cards graded. I like an impartial and experienced TPG looking at them to see if there was anything I missed. I only want altered cards if I know they are altered. No, of course TPG's aren't perfect, but they fit my needs perfectly. Also, since I don't collect high grade I very rarely worry about alterations in my collection. (of course there could be one or some but I am just not worried about it). I still have hundreds, if not thousands of raw cards.

And yes, Travis, we call cards that aren't professionally encased, raw.

[Theo_450]

Have you ever ridden a horse “barebacked”? Graded slabs are like a saddle. Sometimes you need a saddle, but barebacked really gets you in touch with the horse. Sorry if that is off color, but it is true.

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Theo_450

Have you ever ridden a horse “barebacked”? Graded slabs are like a saddle. Sometimes you need a saddle, but barebacked really gets you in touch with the horse. Sorry if that is off color, but it is true.

Understand the horse analogy completely.

[jerseygary]

Living in Kentucky and coming from a long line of Polish cavalry officers, I concur with your equine analogy about raw cards!

[Jayworld]

I have been collecting for 38 years, and all my cards are "raw," un-graded, and in sheets in binders. I have never purchased a graded card. I do understand the need to purchase only "graded" cards if you are considering a 1952 Topps Mantle, or one of the 1933 Goudey Ruths, or high end T206s (and other high-dollar, highly sought cards), but since my collection has none of these, I am content with what I have. When searching eBay, I usually do a -sgc and -psa to see the raw cards, especially T206s.

Heck, it took me 10+ years to get all my collection from shoe boxes and card company shipping boxes into sheets and albums...