First Vintage Set - Graded vs. Raw?

[Cmvorce]

I don't really have much new to add but will share my personal experiences in case any of it is of value.

When I started to build my 52 Topps set (minus Mantle) I knew I wanted to keep them in a binder for easy and pleasant viewing. I find that I never look at my slabbed cards but I look at and enjoy my binder sets all the time. Just the habits I have formed. You'll have to decide what is best for you.

Anyway, my plan was to buy the vast majority of 52s raw and then the premium cards I would buy graded for a little extra peace of mind, and then break them out and add to my binder. Agree with others that there are several reputable dealers who you can feel confident in buying raw. (I mostly used battersbox, tonyetrade, and kit young. Also, several members on these boards).

In theory, that plan seemed good - I hate missing cards in my binders - just an OCD thing of mine, and this was several years ago, so the cost of even the premium cards wasn't yet out of this world (PSA 1.5 Mays for $450; PSA 2 Jackie for $800 - remember those days?!). So I felt comfortable cracking them all.

I bring this up just to caution you about cracking slabs. Fast forward to today and even though I love the 52 set in a binder, I am not comfortable keeping the Jackie and Willie in the pages, so I have pulled them out and keep them in recessed screwdowns. At some point I will resubmit to PSA. I regret cracking those two out.

As time went on, and the value of certain graded cards increased, I found that I wasn't comfortable cracking more and more cards from the 52 set. I kept Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Mathews, and a few other HOFers and high numbers in their slabs. What I am probably going to do is buy reprints of these cards to add to my binder so I don't have all those unsightly blank spaces.

I guess where I am now, is that I have set an unofficial personal threshold for slabbed / raw that I follow as best as possible, knowing I have to be flexible when the opportunity for a good deal arises. For instance, my 52 Wilhelm was purchased raw and is in the binder, while my 52 Robin Roberts is graded, even though the Wilhelm is more valuable.

At the end of the day I guess it depends on your collecting goals. I will be leaving my collection to my wife and/or kids and realize that it will most likely be much easier for my daughters to sell high value cards that are graded than if they were raw.

I feel like I'm talking in circles now, but the essence of it all is to store and display in the way that will give you the most enjoyment, and help you meet your collecting goals. If you do go the binder route, I highly recommend the lighthouse binders with slipcases that are available on Amazon. They are more expensive, but very solid structure, and the slipcase not only keeps dust off, but allows you to store with the ring on top and pages dangling to guards against bending / folding. I've been very pleased.

[mikemb]

I too keep my sets in binders with just about all the cards raw.

The small amount of cards in a set that are graded are either on display or in the 4 pocket pages.

Mike

[ASF123]

I bring this up just to caution you about cracking slabs. Fast forward to today and even though I love the 52 set in a binder, I am not comfortable keeping the Jackie and Willie in the pages, so I have pulled them out and keep them in recessed screwdowns. At some point I will resubmit to PSA. I regret cracking those two out.

I'm not sure I would resubmit if I were you. At the rate PSA is going, both cards would probably get about a -5.5.

[Cmvorce]

Originally Posted by ASF123

I'm not sure I would resubmit if I were you. At the rate PSA is going, both cards would probably get about a -5.5.

lol so true!!

[Mbjerry]

Originally Posted by Cmvorce

I don't really have much new to add but will share my personal experiences in case any of it is of value.



When I started to build my 52 Topps set (minus Mantle) I knew I wanted to keep them in a binder for easy and pleasant viewing. I find that I never look at my slabbed cards but I look at and enjoy my binder sets all the time. Just the habits I have formed. You'll have to decide what is best for you.



Anyway, my plan was to buy the vast majority of 52s raw and then the premium cards I would buy graded for a little extra peace of mind, and then break them out and add to my binder. Agree with others that there are several reputable dealers who you can feel confident in buying raw. (I mostly used battersbox, tonyetrade, and kit young. Also, several members on these boards).



In theory, that plan seemed good - I hate missing cards in my binders - just an OCD thing of mine, and this was several years ago, so the cost of even the premium cards wasn't yet out of this world (PSA 1.5 Mays for $450; PSA 2 Jackie for $800 - remember those days?!). So I felt comfortable cracking them all.



I bring this up just to caution you about cracking slabs. Fast forward to today and even though I love the 52 set in a binder, I am not comfortable keeping the Jackie and Willie in the pages, so I have pulled them out and keep them in recessed screwdowns. At some point I will resubmit to PSA. I regret cracking those two out.



As time went on, and the value of certain graded cards increased, I found that I wasn't comfortable cracking more and more cards from the 52 set. I kept Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Mathews, and a few other HOFers and high numbers in their slabs. What I am probably going to do is buy reprints of these cards to add to my binder so I don't have all those unsightly blank spaces.



I guess where I am now, is that I have set an unofficial personal threshold for slabbed / raw that I follow as best as possible, knowing I have to be flexible when the opportunity for a good deal arises. For instance, my 52 Wilhelm was purchased raw and is in the binder, while my 52 Robin Roberts is graded, even though the Wilhelm is more valuable.



At the end of the day I guess it depends on your collecting goals. I will be leaving my collection to my wife and/or kids and realize that it will most likely be much easier for my daughters to sell high value cards that are graded than if they were raw.



I feel like I'm talking in circles now, but the essence of it all is to store and display in the way that will give you the most enjoyment, and help you meet your collecting goals. If you do go the binder route, I highly recommend the lighthouse binders with slipcases that are available on Amazon. They are more expensive, but very solid structure, and the slipcase not only keeps dust off, but allows you to store with the ring on top and pages dangling to guards against bending / folding. I've been very pleased.

Man that looks amazing! I love that binder. I've got about 30 cards so far, all graded. What do you think about me cracking out the commons? I'm gonna keep the two HOFers I have graded. I like the idea of filling the holes with replicas!

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[Cmvorce]

Originally Posted by Mbjerry

Man that looks amazing! I love that binder. I've got about 30 cards so far, all graded. What do you think about me cracking out the commons? I'm gonna keep the two HOFers I have graded. I like the idea of filling the holes with replicas!

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I would crack the commons and keep the top tier HOFers in slabs.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Cmvorce

I feel like I'm talking in circles now, but the essence of it all is to store and display in the way that will give you the most enjoyment, and help you meet your collecting goals. If you do go the binder route, I highly recommend the lighthouse binders with slipcases that are available on Amazon. They are more expensive, but very solid structure, and the slipcase not only keeps dust off, but allows you to store with the ring on top and pages dangling to guards against bending / folding. I've been very pleased.

Those are nice looking binders, but they are definitely expensive. About how many 8 or 9 pocket sheets can you put into one them?

[Cmvorce]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Those are nice looking binders, but they are definitely expensive. About how many 8 or 9 pocket sheets can you put into one them?

I have 51 8-pocket pages fitting comfortably (I don’t have all the high numbers yet so about 8-9 pages are relatively empty).

[bobsbbcards]

When I feel like flipping through an album, I don't even have to leave my couch.

1956 Topps Album

[Mbjerry]

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

When I feel like flipping through an album, I don't even have to leave my couch.



1956 Topps Album

Wow... That is incredible

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[jayshum]

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

When I feel like flipping through an album, I don't even have to leave my couch.

1956 Topps Album

Bob, it looks like your 56 set is just as nice as your 52 set.

[YazFenway08]

I used to see ultra pro (I think) 4 pocket pages that had “compartments” or recessed slots for graded cards….they would snap in. Seemed a better option than the regular 4 pocket pages. Did they stop making these? Any other options that folks here like? I see options on eBay but not sure they are reputable.

Also not sure if those are “universal”…they seem geared only to PSA amd not the other TPGs.

I collect vintage sets the way other have posted…nice raw commons and typically the top 8-12 cards in each set graded. I think a regular binder should be big enough to house the raw commons in regular ultra pro sheets and 2-3 of those “snap-tight” graded sheets…if I can ever find good ones