1960 Clemente

[ruth-gehrig]

Here's a scanned image of my 1960 Clemente I just got in a deal. Maybe I'm being conservative but I'm thinking it would grade at least a psa 7...maybe 8.
What things can I look at on this card to determine if the grade would go one way or another??? Each corner has the faintest hint of fray. Absolutely no stains, creases, or other issues. The 1 small print spot in the blue area is there but the other white areas in the blue field do not exist on the card itself. Thank You

[David W]

I don't know what it will grade, but there can't be too many players who started as mediocre as Clemente did and ended up with the stats he did.

He went into the pitchers era 60's with a .282 BA in 2400 at bats and came out of it with a .317 average in 9400 at bats and 3000 hits.

After 1/4 of his career he was nowhere near a Hall of Famer and ended up one of the most revered players ever.

[ls7plus]

Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but with any raw card that nice (and it is), always check the edges with a loupe--they should be relatively rough, since the original sheets were cut by a shearing process in stacks. Really sharp, clean edges on cards from this era indicate they have been trimmed (even if they measure properly, since my understanding is that they can be run through a paper press and made slightly larger, then cut back to proper size). Prior to professional grading really taking hold in the mid-'90's, we had a dealer in my area who specialized in altering mid-grade cards in that fashion, so that other than an examination of the edges under magnification, they appeared NMt-Mt. After purchasing a few such cards, submitting them for grading and having them returned as trimmed, I learned the hard way to always check edges on ungraded material. Indeed, it was not uncommon for dealers at major regional shows and/or the Nationals in the '90's to do so with a loupe before buying ungraded specimens brought in by collectors for sale.

Hope this is of benefit,

Larry

[pclpads]

Larry makes some valid points. A 50+ year old card that crisp could well be hacked. If you sub, don't be disappointed if it comes back "EOT." That said, if it does grade - and that white schmack on his sleave and in the blue isn't on the card - I say no better than a 7. That fish-eye is glaring to me. Nice card, though!

[ruth-gehrig]

The edges are pretty sharp although under a loupe you can tell it's not a fresh cut if that makes sense. I picked this card up from the original owner so I don't believe it's been trimmed. Actually I lucked out buying a small handfull of 1960 topps and this is by far the best conditioned one of the bunch. I'm thinking of sending it in. I think PSA 7 but have no idea. Each corner has just the slightest touch of wear. Each corner comes to a distince 90 degree angle but with the touches of wear on every corner is it still possible to receive a 7??? Anyone know what the book value of a PSA 7 is???

Thanks for the comments so far

[ls7plus]

PSA's SMR has a "7" at $165.00. Two e-bay sellers, one of whom I know, have sevens priced at $190 and $240 BIN (and what do you know, Levi Bleam isn't even the highest?). With regard to grading, PSA Grading Standards indicate a NM 7 is a "card with just a slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back."

If the scan is good, I personally would say "7" or better (SMR is $325 for an "8"). Good luck on your submission.

Larry

[ruth-gehrig]

Thanks Larry for the info! I'll submit it and keep my fingers crossed!