'52 Topps Mick SGC 4 Fireworks - Hits $54,900

[Republicaninmass]

It's glorious!

I wonder if Ken knows the max bid?

[Canofcorn]

And I thought I had a nice SGC 4.
Good to see SGC bringing in some escarole. Giving me hope when I sell mine.

[MattyC]

There are just so few centered like that; always good to see collectors being all about the card. It's a beauty.

[irv]

Any idea why that is graded as low as it is?

Looks beauty to me and I'm sure it will sell for large despite the rating.
Currently at $42,000 but imo, it should go for about double that based on what I have seen?

[Canofcorn]

Originally Posted by irv

Any idea why that is graded as low as it is?

Looks beauty to me and I'm sure it will sell for large despite the rating.
Currently at $42,000 but imo, it should go for about double that based on what I have seen?

The scuffing or minor paper loss on the surface will be more evident if you hold it in your hand. The scanner won't always capture that properly. Mine does not have any scuffing issues

[irv]

Originally Posted by Canofcorn

The scuffing or minor paper loss on the surface will be more evident if you hold it in your hand. The scanner won't always capture that properly. Mine does not have any scuffing issues

And yet your's graded the same?? This grading thing is hard to figure out at times, but then again, I am not a grader.

Not sure what mine would grade at? Likely a PR-1 or very slightly better.

[Canofcorn]

The corners on mine prevent anything higher. Each card is different. The one going tonight is better centered top to bottom and better corners than mine. I can't deny that, but mine has different attributes (no scuffing, better color)

Yours is probably a 1 because of the paper loss, but I'm not a grader. Other members on here have much more knowledge to speak to that.
The Mays is extremely nice. I've seen your 52 collection. You need to send the big ones in to get them graded and "authenticated".

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Canofcorn

The scuffing or minor paper loss on the surface will be more evident if you hold it in your hand. The scanner won't always capture that properly. Mine does not have any scuffing issues

Right, and sometimes indentations are only visible at an angle and won't show on a scan. Matt you may recall the phenomenal 51B PSA 4 I was thinking of buying back over the summer == turns out that when my friend saw it in hand, it had a prominent indentation that did not show at all on the scan. While scan technology has greatly improved, there is still no substitute for eyeballing a card and flipping it around at various angles under a light.

[TheNightmanCometh]

If a lot of things get lost by using a scanner, why do they still scan cards? I would prefer to know what I'm getting before I buy. Just seems there has to be a better way.

[MattyC]

Absolutely, Peter. In fact, thanks to buying from the same sellers over the years, often times I will pay to have them send me a card for an in-hand review. There is just no substitute for holding a card in-hand. Hence why I love shows, and had such a blast at The National. There are times when a card just looks so much more beautiful in hand than it does in the scan, times when the scan looks better, and then times when it's just about accurate. That first scenario is always such a thrill, when you get the card and smile and think, "WOW." It's even better when that WOW is followed by, "Damn, this thing looks better than the number on the flip! LOL!"

[Canofcorn]

Mine isn't as nice top to bottom, but much nicer than most.

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Canofcorn

Mine isn't as nice top to bottom, but much nicer than most.

One of the better examples right there. Centering is great, and that color is so rich and deep. Fantastic piece. Must be a joy to look at that card.

The 2 at LOTG is worth noting, too.

Regarding the technical assessment of the SGC 4 at auction, it seems some surface scuffing on the left side is the cause. Certainly doesn't affect the eye appeal. Classic case of the rigid grading criteria, which I have always personally disagreed with-- they will hit a card for surface or corners or a micro wrinkle so hard, but a card can have ugly focus or tilt and still get a pretty high grade. Sometimes it's a bummer and sometimes it creates a great value for the collector, as in the case of this SGC 4. An uglier 7 would cost like 200k or some super high amount, and this '4' will probably sell for a bundle less.

[TheNightmanCometh]

To see that graded as a "4" gives me hope that maybe one day I'll be able to own a kick-ass '52 Mantle myself.

[pawpawdiv9]

If you look closer, i belive there some indention or crease on the left side/border. In 2 places. Above the bat and right at the logo box. You can see the differences there from where it crosses from the white border thru the black line and into the color backgrounds.
Then again, it may be print lines. Buts it looks like somethings there.

[irv]

Originally Posted by MattyC

One of the better examples right there. Centering is great, and that color is so rich and deep. Fantastic piece. Must be a joy to look at that card.

The 2 at LOTG is worth noting, too.

Regarding the technical assessment of the SGC 4 at auction, it seems some surface scuffing on the left side is the cause. Certainly doesn't affect the eye appeal. Classic case of the rigid grading criteria, which I have always personally disagreed with-- they will hit a card for surface or corners or a micro wrinkle so hard, but a card can have ugly focus or tilt and still get a pretty high grade. Sometimes it's a bummer and sometimes it creates a great value for the collector, as in the case of this SGC 4. An uglier 7 would cost like 200k or some super high amount, and this '4' will probably sell for a bundle less.

I agree, that card does look in great shape despite the slight scuffing. I am now realizing the term, "Buy the Card, not the case/slab in comes in"

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

It's glorious!

I wonder if Ken knows the max bid?

I reiterate my statement from the 54k sale

[bobfreedman]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

I reiterate my statement from the 54k sale

Goldin Auctions cannot and has never been able to see Max bids. This is how they have operated from day 1

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by bobfreedman

Goldin Auctions cannot and has never been able to see Max bids. This is how they have operated from day 1

Glad to hear they've (ken) changed their ways since the Mastro days.

Apparenrly your server crashed, the minute the market did.