What are your card must haves?

x2drich2000 · #1 08-12-2017, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMPEP

Mine would be - do I have it or not?

If I don't already have it - who the hell cares what it looks like?

I think all of the people who worry about the condition are certifiably insane. You show me a PSA 10 and I'll show you a card that has been doctored. You show me a PSA 1 and I'll show you a card that has lived a good life and that was well loved.

Fortunately for me, the majority of card collectors care more about shallow appearances than actual substance. Of course living in LA - on a daily basis I see that this last statement applies to a whole lot more people than just card collectors! ;-)

+1 For a lot of the stuff I've been into lately, I'm just happy to find an example. And if it is burned, has holes, or is almost torn in half, I'll still take it.

And since everyone loves pics...
T222 Lelivelt

JollyElm · #2 08-12-2017, 07:19 PM

I'm sure there is a huge difference in the level of concern with regards to centering and corners based on whether you focus on pre-war or post-war cards. Since I collect the latter (and they are 'easier' to find), I look for sharp corners first, while centering (as well as other things) is less important. If I collected the older stuff, I'm sure the sharpness of the corners would drop down on my requirements list, simply because it would be much harder to find the cards I want, so I couldn't afford to be too picky.

brianp-beme · #3 08-12-2017, 07:46 PM

I like my cards well centered and with sharp corners, like my Diamond Stars Hornsby. Sometimes I am willing to accept minor defects like my Goudey Ruth.

But seriously, my lower condition collecting no-no has been damage or heavy crease through the player's face.

Brian

irv · #4 08-12-2017, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gawaintheknight

My approach is: is this a problem the card had when it came out of the pack? If so, I don't care so much. So gum stains, centering, print marks, etc., not usually a big deal. Creases, stains, writing, rips, etc., more of a problem.

I am mostly the same way, although lately, I try my best to pick up centered cards as much as possible.
I wasn't always this way, but from reading here, over and over again, about centered cards, I have now been converted.

I think paper loss should be ignored.

I read all the time on E-Bay, if it wasn't for the paper loss, or the creasing, or the writing, this card would be mint.

No sh*t, Sherlock.

deeg23 · #5 08-12-2017, 07:59 PM

1. Centering
2. Centering
3. Centering
4. Corners
5. Edges

The first thing I always look at is centering! It does depend on the issue, as centering is tough for some, but typically, I'm moving on if it isn't centered 😊

clydepepper · #6 08-12-2017, 08:25 PM

for graded cards: EX and above...with no qualifiers.

for raw cards: EX-MT

.

SMPEP · #7 08-12-2017, 10:22 PM

Now that Hornsby is a PSA 10!!!!

That's a great card (also loved the Lelivelt - very cool card!).

darwinbulldog · #8 08-14-2017, 08:47 AM

Really depends on the card. Some of what I collect is plentiful modern stuff, so for that I'll just try to find a raw one on eBay that looks NM+ and if there's anything noticeably off I'll pass. Some of what I collect is unique or very nearly so, so the condition is irrelevant. (Can't find a better example if there's only one example.) For the moderately tough pre-war cards - like, say, a Kotton, it's probably like this.

1. No heavy creases
2. No paper loss
3. Player's image uninterrupted by stains or print defects
4. Clean back
5. No "poor" corners or edges
6. Centering I guess

Rich Klein · #9 08-14-2017, 08:55 AM

I'm not kidding -- I love Hobby related sports cards -- this one I'll never get

A little context - she used to be the Beckett on-line editor and I really do collect hobby people related card -- and have one of my own

There is also a Mike Jaspersen (son of Bob) in the same Allen and Ginter set and I could use one of those as well

mechanicalman · #10 08-14-2017, 01:01 PM

I'm not sure if it's a small bit of OCD, but I crave symmetry in my life, and that translates to an obsession with centering when it comes to cards (almost to a fault, at times.) After centering, I seek color/clarity. I can live with "corner touches" as I believe a 100+ year old card should have corners that look more loved than my 89 Upper Decks. I have learned to be OK with small creases that don't diminish the overall appeal. Bad backs don't distract me at all if the fronts are beautiful.

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