PSA Grading of Unopened Packs from 1948 to 1970

[swarmee]

No, that's the reason they used to not do it. I think they were making their pack slabs better in order to grade packs with broken/shifting gum, but am not sure if they are yet. Call them.

[botn]

Originally Posted by swarmee

No, that's the reason they used to not do it. I think they were making their pack slabs better in order to grade packs with broken/shifting gum, but am not sure if they are yet. Call them.

I spoke with Steve Hart about this not too long ago and packs with loose or broken gum are no longer a problem to grade.

[Steve_NY]

If Steve Hart has indicated that PSA will now grade packs with broken gum or moving gum, that is terrific news. I have some packs that look brand new that have broken gum. It would help if the PSA grading standards were revised to reflect this detail. Personally, I would prefer a pack with broken gum than a pack with holes in the corners. I would rather have a complete pack with no broken gum, but sometimes the availability is just not there, and you have to settle for second best. Sometimes you also settle for the pack with holes in the corner. Either way, as long as there is no evidence of resealing, than this would be the optimum situation.

Also, has PSA approved changes in their holders that do no damage to the packs themselves? My concern is that many graded packs that I have seen just don't really look like they belong in the grade they were assigned, which signals to me that the pack was damaged by PSA themselves, when they loaded them into the holder. Has this issue been dealt with properly?

[botn]

My guess is that you have seen packs that might appear to be over graded due to the fact the loose or broken gum slid around and damaged the wrappers. The reason that PSA is now willing to grade packs with loose or broken gum IS because that is no longer a factor which implies to me that they resolved the problem with packs or gum moving in the holder.

[packs]

Someone said something about putting money on someone. Does this mean I won the bet?

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by packs

Someone said something about putting money on someone. Does this mean I won the bet?

I'll settle up soon as my brother-in-law straightens up with me...he's a hunchback

[murphy8276]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

Also, has PSA approved changes in their holders that do no damage to the packs themselves? My concern is that many graded packs that I have seen just don't really look like they belong in the grade they were assigned, which signals to me that the pack was damaged by PSA themselves, when they loaded them into the holder. Has this issue been dealt with properly?

Originally Posted by botn

My guess is that you have seen packs that might appear to be over graded due to the fact the loose or broken gum slid around and damaged the wrappers. The reason that PSA is now willing to grade packs with loose or broken gum IS because that is no longer a factor which implies to me that they resolved the problem with packs or gum moving in the holder.

The short answer to this is NO.

[Steve_NY]

I guess that means I am still uncomfortable grading valuable wax packs. For example, several years ago, I sold a first series Wacky Packages 1973 unopened pack to a customer who had it graded by PSA and they ruined the pack. They made up for the damages, but I have always been spooked about grading really expensive packs. So I still think that my customers will have to grade my packs on their own or pass if they have any concerns. Stop by my booth at this year's National in Cleveland as I will be showcasing over 200 packs from 1949 to 1970 in all sports and non-sports. Some of these are quite rare, but since they are ungraded, I prefer to sell face to face so you can see their condition, and then grade them if you decide to do so.

Steve Sabow