"A" graded cards...."A" for Affordable and Awesome (sometimes)....Show us your A's

[tedzan]

As most of you know....I'm NO fan of GRADED cards. Nonetheless, I will acquire an "A" graded card, especially if it is the final card I need to complete a set (or sub-set).
I have been a serious SET collector for 44 years. I've completed major (and some minor) BB, FB, etc. sets from 1887 - 1987. Included in these sets are "A" graded cards.

Enough said....let's hear your thoughts regarding "A" graded cards ? Do you avoid them ? Or, are these cards acceptable in your collections ?

Threads like this are more interesting when we show-off our cards, so let's see some of your A's.

I wll start this show with 3 examples of my better acquisitions, better because I either paid very
reasonable $$ for them. Or, I made a very reasonable cash/trade deal for them...…


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[x2drich2000]

I have no problem with getting A cards. At different times I've purchased them when I could not afford the card in a higher grade, the card is rare/unique, or even when the card just simply still looks good.

My first Cobb


a unique mathewson


and well they are Wagner

[ajquigs]

These two are ‘A’ for Affordable. I’m quite happy with both.

[RCMcKenzie]

Mathewson...

[Cozumeleno]

Crappy scans, nice nice looking cards.

[Brian Van Horn]

I usually don't buy "A" graded cards, but:

[Jerry G]

Grateful to have this Cobb.

[LOUCARDFAN]

One of my favorites A’s and to top it off, it's not trimmed.

Attachment 391660

Attachment 391661


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[jchcollins]

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[t213]

here's one

Andy

[tedzan]

My favorite T206 Minor Leaguer...Frank Delehanty. The youngest of the five Delehanty brothers in Baseball.
On display here is my AMERICAN BEAUTY - BROAD LEAF - CYCLE - DRUM (A-B-C-D) connection. His DRUM
card shown here is the only one known. It was originally in an "A" holder. But, I cracked it open.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

A couple of rare T206 "scraps"....Doolan and Donlin.

With this card, my Doolan run will be complete when I find the BROAD LEAF 350 card of him.

My Donlin run is a work-in-progress.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Two "Awesome" looking Wagner's from my E90-1 set, which were very "Affordable" when I acquired them simply because of their "A" grade.....


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Jerry Upp is in that last tough series of the E90-1 set, so I was quite happy to find this one.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[MULLINS5]

Plenty available in any PWCC auction.

[tedzan]

One of the "rough" cards in my all - PIEDMONT set was Joss. I recently replaced that card with this beauty.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Chris Counts]

I prefer SGC cards to others in slabs because they're so easy to bust out. I can't imagine paying extra for a high graded card because so many of them are trimmed. If I'm going to have trimmed cards, they might as well be affordable ones. By the way, the Tattoo Orbit Grove came from Lionel Carter's collection, which seems like proof that the trimmers go way back.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I prefer SGC cards to others in slabs because they're so easy to bust out. I can't imagine paying extra for a high graded card because so many of them are trimmed. If I'm going to have trimmed cards, they might as well be affordable ones. By the way, the Tattoo Orbit Grove came from Lionel Carter's collection, which seems like proof that the trimmers go way back.

Hi Chris

Love your post....and, very well said.

And, I completely agree with you on the ease of cracking open SGC holders.

Here's my array of "flips".....this display is just a tiny example of the number of flips floating around in my archives.





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Love this "A"ffordable beauty.

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[Baseballcrazy62]

Great thread. Forgot I had this one.
A9C1C18C-3ECF-45D4-B344-2A423A2DF775.jpg

[tedzan]

The only way is an "A" for this rare gem.







TED Z

T206 Reference
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[pherbener]

A's are ok with me,

[jerrys]

n300anson.jpg

[GregZakwin]

[tedzan]

I acquired the "A" graded Walter Johnson years ago when I started on my all - PIEDMONT set.
Subsequently, made a trade for the WJ in the center, and sold the "A" WJ to a good ole buddy.



TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Double post.

[tedzan]

My Schulte Blank-Back card. Although SGC refused to label it as such. Outside of its plastic, it is obvious that this card is NOT "skinned".
However, it does have a spot of paper loss in the upper left corner
I may crack it out and re-submit it.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Those of you, who are serous collectors of 1949 BOWMAN's are familiar with how tough this variation card is (the yellow version).

The Slate (color error) version of it shown here is considerably scarcer than the regular version. I am pleased to have an "A" of it.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

TED Z

T206 Reference
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[phikappapsi]

one of my favorite "A"'s

[Jobu]

Woah, great card!

As is the Plank that started the thread.

Originally Posted by phikappapsi

one of my favorite "A"'s

[tedzan]

This Jennings card with an AB 460 back is quite rare. I was really happy to find this one with an "A" grade, as it was very "Affordable".

Although I have never understood why PSA (or SGC) grades AMERICAN BEAUTY cards with an "A" ("evidence of trim"). And especially
the AB 460 cards.....because they are usually narrower than the AB 350 cards.
With that thought in mind, I cracked it open and submitted it back to SGC. What a pleasant surprise, this time it was graded a "60".





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[brianp-beme]

I present to you the Wide World of A. Didn't quite catch these cards before they became plastic authentics. Two of the cards are from companies on the top of the vintage grading ladder, a couple either not as prominent or not as trusted, and then a couple barely qualifying...and who in the heck is WCG?

Brian

[tedzan]

Bob Feller is one of the tougher 2nd series cards in the 1949 LEAF set.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[aljurgela]

enjoy

[Marslife]

hey fellas!

GR8 stuff. It's all about "A"ffordable to me. only way I could finish my T205 HOF set!

TTYL!

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[leaflover]

This card was in a SGC84 holder. Since the rest of my set was PSA. The card looked better so I cracked it out and sent it in. The card came back an "A" as PSA decided that the top was trimmed and not a factory "rough cut".

Oh well the card is what it is and I would probably buy it again. I love it! That dot and what looks like hair are not on the card. I forgot to wipe off my scanner.

BTW Ted … Bill Salkeld lived in the neighborhood and attended some of our HS games.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by leaflover

This card was in a SGC84 holder. Since the rest of my set was PSA. The card looked better so I cracked it out and sent it in. The card came back an "A" as PSA decided that the top was trimmed and not a factory "rough cut".

Oh well the card is what it is and I would probably buy it again. I love it! That dot and what looks like hair are not on the card. I forgot to wipe off my scanner.

BTW Ted … Bill Salkeld lived in the neighborhood and attended some of our HS games.

Hi Mike

Your 1953 BOWMAN Berra card is a real beauty. I've completed two 1953 BOWMAN sets and the Berra card has always been the toughest to find in nice condition.

Your experience with PSA reminds me (in reverse) of my experience with them 20 years ago. At the Fort Washington (Philly) Show, my table set-up was one aisle
away from where PSA was grading. I submitted to PSA the finest 1949 BOWMAN card in my set....Stan Musial. I went over to PSA to pick up my card....expecting
a high grade. They give me the card with a slip stating "evidence of trim". I got into a heated discussion with their manager, to no avail.

I don't get discouraged easy, so I walked over to the far end of the showroom to SGC, and submitted my Musial card. And, here it is. Needless to say, I never had
another card graded by PSA. Mike, ole buddy, crack that "nasty" PSA plastic and re-submit your sharp looking Berra card to SGC.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

I was reluctant to have this Matty graded. But, I must admit....the wide black border of the SGC holder frames it beautifully.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

To complete my run of all the "Exclusive 12" subjects with red HINDU backs within a certain timeframe, I
acquired this "A" graded McGraw. Subsequently, I replaced it with the better looking McGraw on the right.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Jcosta19]

Love this card.

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[GasHouseGang]

I don't really understand why this didn't get an A grade since it's hand-cut. Grading can be a mystery.