New collector need help with 1910 and 1911 cards

[FrankWakefield]

If you want to start "collecting" old ball cards, then HOLD onto all of these, and start reading and learning about old cards. Try to find vol 2 and vol 3 of Mr. Lew Lipset's Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards. It is a bit dated now, but it is an excellent starting point for understanding the cards. No need to spend money on grading these if you're "collecting". Over the years you can add to the family collection. (I'd list what you have now, so the next collector in your family can ascertain which cards are additions to the family collection.)

If you just want to pass these on down to a male child in a generation or so, then close the safe and remember the combination. Again, no need to spend money on grading. Keep these cards in the family.

If you're wanting to cash out... get in touch with some of the reputable card dealers... they could sell your cards the best way, depending on the cards. Bill Goodwin, Barry Sloate, Lew Lipset come to mind. Brockleman and Luckey sell cards. Talk to several before settling on one.

Don't let us buzzards here pick the bones... we'd all like to have one or all of them. You could contact a few of us, and send us scans, we could tell you what you have. If you go to Barnes & Noble, or Amazon, you can get a new edition of The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards, it will help and guide you toward recognizing some of the more valuable cards.... the guides aren't perfect, and are less so in a novice's hands. Generally, folks new to the hobby overgrade and misidentify.

[Bill Stone]

If you already sold the 1911 Weaver Zeenut at auction for $17K in Oct. 2009 and you were happy with the sale then I think you are already on the right road.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Bill Stone

If you already sold the 1911 Weaver Zeenut at auction for $17K in Oct. 2009 and you were happy with the sale then I think you are already on the right road.

He has a Zeenut Weaver and noticed one sold at auction; not his. He edited his post "Reason: Sorry I didn't sell the Weaver, "I saw it sold" for $17k"

[Bill Stone]

Thanks --too early to read the real fine print !!!!!!!

[jmk59]

Sounds like a great collection. You got all the good advice you need in the first few posts from Rhett, Steve and Frank.

As Frank says, if you want to keep them then grading isn't as important. Put them in a secure place and try to learn about them (caution - it's addicting). This board, the Lipset Encyclopedia, plus Old Cardboard magazine - link to OC at the top of this page - are good sources and very interesting too.

If you want to sell them, then Steve makes a good suggestion to go with SGC. People have their preferences, but the hobby in general tends to lean toward SGC a the grader of choice.

And Rhett gives the best immediate advice of all - don't let people here try to cherry pick the best cards for a song. There are a whole whole lot of really good people here that would make you a very fair offer on individual cards or groups of cards. But there are also those few that will spam your PM trying to be first in line for a steal. (I'll bet that your PM area is already starting to fill up with expressions of interest.) You probably won't be able to tell the fair offers from the low-balls, so the safest thing would be to politely decline all for now until you have had a chance to better understand what you have.

If you go the auction route, the auction house may help with the grading process or at least advise on which would be best graded.

You've received good advice in this thread - I'm just an echo! And you've already done one of the smartest things you could have done, which is come on this board and ask for advice instead of taking them to a local card dealer or antique shop. You'll get better advice here than anywhere. Watch for certain auction house, graders and individual names to keep surfacing in the recommendations, and you'll know where to go next.

Good luck with it. Post scans when you have them.

Joann

[Leon]

All good advice so far. The main thing is to take your time. You will get a million suggestions. You will need to decide if you want to collect cards or not. If not, AND if you want to sell them, then maximizing your return is what you will want to do. Getting the cards that are worth $100+ graded, would probably be a wise move. Good luck with your good fortune....and did I mention to take your time .

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by Leon

and did I mention to take your time .

That can't be said enough.

The option to sell will always be there so there is no rush.

[ethicsprof]

Congratulations!!!
Memories are priceless, as you well know, so spend some time reflecting on
what you'd like to keep for the sake of memories, then move forward to
considerations such as what you'd like to keep for your own collection and for selling. Breathe deeply,quietly, measuredly along the way when the frenetic takes hold.
best,
barry