Join the "BB Card Free Thinkers Society"....its FREE [Archive]

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04-13-2007, 10:04 AM

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis<img src="http://www.freephotoserver.com/v001/tedzan/array8plastics.jpg"> See guys and gals....contrary to some "flak" aimed at me on this Forum....I "love" PLASTICS. All kinds of PLASTICS....So do my cards. Remember what Murry Hamilton said to Dustin Hoffman in the movie, The Graduate...."Plastics, the future young man is in Plastics".... How did Murry know that ? Let's start the "BaseBall Card Free Thinkers Society"......FREE your cards from that infernal plastic capsule, let the cardboard breathe and live again. And if you have doubts about an ungraded card you are interested in.....seek some FREE advice....as Frank Wakefield recently advised in another post....there are many qualified experts on this Forum that are great resources. Anyone can join the "Free Thinkers".....and, there are no club dues.....it is FREE-EEEEEE. This post is intended to produces some "chuckles"......have a great day. TED Z

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04-13-2007, 10:09 AM

Posted By: barrysloateTed- in spirit I am with you! But collectors pay a premium to get their cards in those slabs, so not all may want to give some of that money back by liberating them. It's a delicate balance.

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04-13-2007, 10:12 AM

Posted By: leonFor every card that is freed they have one more potential job !!!

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04-13-2007, 10:13 AM

Posted By: JKThis post might be intended to induce some chuckles, but my guess is it will do the exact opposite. My guess is that some of us who like our cards slabbed will once again interpret this as a backhanded insult to the way in which we prefer to collect.

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04-13-2007, 10:18 AM

Posted By: barrysloateJosh- for me it is just a way to reminisce about days gone forever. Since I sell all my cards in slabs, I'm hardly against collecting graded cards. I do miss the days when it was a little more fun.

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04-13-2007, 10:20 AM

Posted By: Steve f>...FREE your cards from that infernal plastic capsule, let the cardboard breathe and live again.< Contrary to some beliefs, slabs do breathe. I accidentally spilled water onto an SGC slab long ago and a small amount had seeped into the slab.

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04-13-2007, 10:28 AM

Posted By: E, DanielOdd cut on the Johnson side-view.....straight on the left edge, flaring out noticably on the bottom right - then again, if it were slabbed we could be alot more comfortable it wasn't trimmed <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14> Maybe a little short top to bottom too??? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Chuckle Chuckle Chuckle Daniel

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04-13-2007, 10:51 AM

Posted By: James FeaginWow Ted, an inanimate object needs to breathe? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> I slab for the protection of my cards, from my rampant clumsiness.

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04-13-2007, 11:34 AM

Posted By: Joe D.is it okay if I get my membership card laminated?

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04-13-2007, 11:46 AM

Posted By: RCJoe D., Funny comment!! and it was about cards, not free speech, racism, etc... RC

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04-13-2007, 11:56 AM

Posted By: Rob(note: this is meant to be an honest question, not sarcastic or whatever) Ted, if not plastic, what do you store your cards in? Do you have them stacked up on a table or in a box or something? Rob <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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04-13-2007, 12:37 PM

Posted By: Zach RiceI crack all of my cards out and simply put them in 15 pocket sheets in a binder. The larger cards I use 9 pocket sheets, but 15 for the tobacco and caramel cards.

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04-13-2007, 12:46 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisI have sportscards, uncut BB card sheets, bats, gloves, pennants, publications all over my Sports memorabilia room. BB cards are in..... Albums in plastic sheets Metal and cardboard boxes Screw-down plastics (arranged on their edges) Desk drawers and shelves and, in a safe. TED Z

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04-13-2007, 12:58 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisYou nailed it....guy. I like the freedom of removing a card from a 9, 12, or 15 pocket plastic sheets when needed and either upgrading it or just holding onto it for whatever reason. The graded cards I acquire from shows (or ebay), that I hope trade or sell I leave in their plastic. I find the GAI plastics to be tougher to crack than all the other graded holders. ZACH How many times have you cracked open a graded card that in the "raw"....did not meet your expectation ? Regards, TED Z

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04-13-2007, 01:19 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisI play a lot of tennis, and my best shot is my backhand. Anyhow, if you think I posted this thread with some......"backhanded insult" (your words) to collectors of graded cards, then I am sorry you feel that way, because that was in no way my intentions. I do not give a "rats".....as to how anyone collects in this hobby.....that is their prerogative, and their business. What I do resent, is the ridicule some of us on this Forum are subjected to, by the inflexibility of others who think, that unless you strictly collect graded cards....you are out of the "mainstream" in this hobby. TED Z

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04-13-2007, 01:26 PM

Posted By: James FeaginExactly Ted. In the same way that some anti-slabbers think that those who collect graded cards (like myself) are driveling idiots who are incapable of determining anything without a third-party grading service. Honestly, there are WAY more important things to be concerned about.

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04-13-2007, 01:32 PM

Posted By: JKTed - Thanks. I wasnt saying that I felt it was a backhanded insult, just that I thought it could/would be interpreted as such. Sorry that wasnt clear. By the way - very nice cards.

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04-13-2007, 01:52 PM

Posted By: DennyFreeeee Frankie...Free Frankie...Free Frankie...Free Frankie <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14> Life's Grand, Denny Walsh

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04-13-2007, 01:55 PM

Posted By: barrysloateTed- just to play devil's advocate for a moment: how is a screw down holder superior to a slabbed card? Isn't it kind of the same thing?

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04-13-2007, 02:20 PM

Posted By: JohnTed, I hear you good stuff and all. But I don’t think I will ever do it again. This was one of the first graded cards I ever bought got it from SCP. When I got the card in the mail it was stuck sideways after a few taps it was back. It just bugged the heck out of me it sliding around in there. So I called SCP and they told me how to free the card, and said the recommended leaving it in the holder. Now being a bit more seasoned I understand why, the chances of this card getting a 4 again is more than likely not happening or maybe it will who knows etc. While I certainly didn’t pay a lot for this card by today’s standards and am financially fine as it’s not for sale per say. I would be better off if it was still in the slab from a monetary point of view, which in the case of selling to buy more cards certainly complements my collecting point of view. <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/ebay/websize/scan0029.jpg"> <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/ebay/websize/anson2.jpg"> <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/ebay/websize/anson_1.jpg"> Ted, nice in theory sounds great, but I wont be joining. Cards I have raw can stay raw, cards in slabs can stay in slabs. That’s where I am today…tomorrow who knows.

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04-13-2007, 02:45 PM

Posted By: Joe D.Forget screw downs and binder sheets.... What is the official position of the BB Card Free Thinkers Society on bicycle spokes? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> I am thinking of taking my bicycle to barry's next auction and riding away with my winnings. There is nothing like a spinning tire of wagners, mattys and cobbs.

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04-13-2007, 02:45 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisI acquired my N162 Anson (same pix as your Mayo) 15 years ago which was in a complete 50-card set. I have upgraded most of the other cards in my set. But, this one is from the original collection. This is my favorite set and I love to be able to hold these cards in my hands; therefore, I will never get them graded. TED Z <img src="http://www.freephotoserver.com/v001/tedzan/anson162.jpg">

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04-13-2007, 02:50 PM

Posted By: PaulI have exactly one graded card. If I was ever to sell a high value card, I would probably get it graded just for the sale.

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04-13-2007, 03:19 PM

Posted By: Frank EvanovFree club? Sounds like the "dee" club to me. De-authenticate, De-value, chance of De-stroying your collection. Frank

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04-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Posted By: Dave SIn my opinion..easiest to crack..from easiest to most difficult.. 1--CTA 2--CSA (old ugly blue ones) 3--CSA (clear ones) 4--SGC 5--PSA 6--Beckett--FORGETIT!! Haven't attempted a GAI yet...and never had the luxury of owning a PRO to try..

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04-13-2007, 04:12 PM

Posted By: Joe JonesI like the way cards look with black SGC inserts, but I prefer to have them in 15 pocket pages. Can I join the Society Ted? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <IMG SRC="http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450018387/126.jpg">

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04-13-2007, 05:21 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisMe too....those T206's were always meant to be in 15-pocket plastic sheets. By virtue of your scanned 15-card sheet, you have automatically become a member of the Society. Here's a scan of a page from the 150 Series section of my Piedmont set album..... <img src="http://www.freephotoserver.com/v001/tedzan/apiedmontset.jpg"> TED Z collection

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04-13-2007, 05:24 PM

Posted By: JohnTed, I thought they were meant to be in cigarette packs… <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/smileys/143.gif">

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04-13-2007, 05:38 PM

Posted By: Mark LI don't like slabbed cards either and my "permanent collection" is unslab-ed. But I haven't been able to put them in sheets for a couple reasons. One is that the sheets always look bendable to me. Has a t206 ever been bent? folded? otherwise mutilated? Isn't it easier and SAFER to get them in and out of top loaders than in and out of the sheets?

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04-13-2007, 07:18 PM

Posted By: JoannI don't really care one way or another when it comes to grading. I will send in cards if I'm selling something, but have never graded a card I intend to keep. I used to crack out graded cards, but don't anymore. Not for any particular reason - I just don't. I definitely prefer to have at least one card from each set raw, and will crack a card out of a holder if it's the only one I have from that set. To me, this is really the only way to understand condition sensitivity and what the card really was in it's entirety - not just what it looks like in person. I'll also crack them out if the holder is all banged up and interferes with being able to see the card. Rob - I keep my more expensive cards (which for me means anything over about $150 or so) in a safe deposit box at the bank. The rest, which comprise well over half the cards I own, are in either the slabs they were in when I got them or in top loaders with penny sleeves. And where do I keep them? Uh oh. Here goes. In one of those plastic bags from the grocery store. Seriously. That way I can move them from place to place easily, toss them in the back of a closet if company or whatever is coming over, etc. Also very handy to take downstairs and spread out on the kitchen counter to look at, show off, etc. I don't think I could do the three ring binders - too structured. Joann Oh - and Joe Jones - wow. Cool display of Detroiters

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04-13-2007, 07:22 PM

Posted By: DaveJust freed my first SGC cards from there holders today.....oh what a feeling!!

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04-13-2007, 07:36 PM

Posted By: Scot Reader Dave S, I cracked a Beckett slab once. M101-5 Randolph. Took me an hour and I cut my hand. Ted, I respect those who "free" their cards--and think it is fine for the true collector who plans to hold for 30+ years. But I will not do it because the market value of a high grade vintage card is exponentially higher than the market value of a raw vintage card. My T206 PSA 6 commons are worth $250+. If I cracked them out they would be instantly worth $50 (and it would cost me $15 to get them graded again and back to the $250 level). I will add that I prefer to buy raw cards because I like to hold them in my hand and look at them at all sorts of angles and under all sorts of light before I send them into their tomb. Scot

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04-13-2007, 08:03 PM

Posted By: AnonymousEnroll me! But, I'm scared to crack the ones I've bought slabbed. <img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j197/OSeedy/T206.jpg">

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04-13-2007, 08:13 PM

Posted By: RCI'm like oseedy, I don't necessarily look for graded cards but now that I have a couple, I haven't had the nerve to break them out "yet". I definitely prefer to hold the cards "naked" if you will. Yes, I keep them in pages or plastic holders but they are very easy to get out for viewing pleasure. Love everybody's scans! RC

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04-13-2007, 08:42 PM

Posted By: Zach RiceTed- The cards I usually "crack" are low grade to begin with so usually there aren't any suprises, however, I have had a few. Since everyone else is posting their binder pages... <img src="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/mzm55cards/t210binder.jpg">

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04-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Posted By: AnonymousNice, Zach, have any series 8's?

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04-13-2007, 08:57 PM

Posted By: Dave SSo you take it you agree? Beckett..forgetit?!

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04-13-2007, 10:02 PM

Posted By: Bruce BabcockNice cards, Zach.

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04-13-2007, 10:04 PM

Posted By: Bruce Babcock<img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/uffda51/T205small.jpg"> Here's one of my pages.

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04-14-2007, 05:28 AM

Posted By: DylanWell we all have to keep in mind that maybe when purchasing upclose and personal we dont need a grading company to tell us how nice a card is but many of us dont get to purchase cards in the flesh. when a lot of money is on the line and you cant even look at the darned thing in the raw that assurance of quality(i only trust SGC anymore) can be helpful.

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04-14-2007, 07:50 AM

Posted By: steve yawitzCount me in, Ted. <img src="http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2130/flipsmt2.jpg"> <a href="http://imageevent.com/yawie99" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://imageevent.com/yawie99</a>

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04-14-2007, 08:27 AM

Posted By: EdWould "Free Honus" make for a good screenplay?

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04-14-2007, 09:26 AM

Posted By: MikeIf somehow you came to own the Big Kahuna "Wagner" would you free that as well ? Just curious.

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04-14-2007, 09:42 AM

Posted By: leonI would hope, at some point (100k-300k value?), even avowed nude collectors would leave a card in a holder....for the dreaded fiscal reasoning.....I might be adamant in my thoughts but I hope I am not to the point of stupidity...How would anyone feel if they cracked a T206 Wagner, in a 2-3 holder, and they tore the card doing it?..regards

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04-14-2007, 09:48 AM

Posted By: MikeAgreed Leon. Some anti slabbers are very adamant about their position, and I was risking some political incorrectness by asking the question. One would hope that common sense prevails that that instance.

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04-14-2007, 04:46 PM

Posted By: Scot Reader Yes, Dave S.--I agree. I won't be cracking another Beckett slab anytime soon.

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04-14-2007, 05:10 PM

Posted By: AnonymousWould it be possible to have the grading company crack one for you? Maybe they have a machine that can do that without risk of damage.

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04-15-2007, 05:39 AM

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis"What does common sense have to do with it".....Tina Turner (circa 1969) 1st I ask......What company graded this "mythical" Wagner ? T-Rex TED

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04-15-2007, 10:10 AM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisMy answer to you guys......is a resounding..... ....................YES..................... I would FREE that WAGNER from its....PLASTIC....in an instant; but, very carefully. I wouldn't even mull over this decision for a few seconds. Recall from my previous posts, I was one of many that saw the (now) PSA 8 Wagner in it's "free-form", 20 years ago. I even "touched" it....WOW....guys, it's only a little piece of cardboard with a BB player's image on it ! I have no problem cracking open PSA, SGC, etc. holders. GAI ones are a little tougher. I am very good with my hands (that is I am not a "kluts") and I wear safety glasses when splitting the plastic. Now, what you didn't ask me....that I'll ask myself....would I upon closely examining this Wagner, and caressing it, and even smelling it (to make sure that it has not been subjected to moisture, etc.)...... then resubmit it for grading ? And....YES.... I would finally have SGC re-grade this card....that is when I decide to part with it. T-Rex TED

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04-15-2007, 10:54 AM

Posted By: E, DanielTed, you just lost $2.2 million dollars. Enjoy your trimmed cards <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Daniel

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04-15-2007, 12:12 PM

Posted By: paulstrattonMost of my collection is ungraded, but I don't crack just to crack. I'll keep them in their various holders because that's how I bought them. My collection is a mess anyway and I'm not so anal that everything has to look the same or be in order. I have cracked all the Beckett slabs I have ever gotten and they are the easiest. I think there was a thread about it sometime ago.