Graded Altered?

[jchcollins]

Hi guys,

You don't know me because I collect mostly post-war and am more active over in those forums. But I figured what I'm about to ask about may actually be more applicable to pre-war collectors, so thought I would do it here. Some questions for you:

To preface, I'm sick of high-end cards. (High end to me is about a PSA 7). Earlier today I was looking through some 1960's items to sell and got caught in that familiar trap of scrutiny, looking and trying to find some of the micro-imperfections in a high end card. After about 20-30 minutes, I realized I was stressed out and not having fun - kind of the opposite of what this hobby is supposed to be about. I've been through this cycle before. I want to enjoy a "nice" high-end card so I buy something in that spectrum again - even after I have told myself before I don't want to. Many of my 1950's star cards (Mantle, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson) are raw mid- or lower grade cards and I'm thrilled with them. Always have been.

To shift to the opposite end of the scale, I wanted to ask about trimmed / altered cards. I did a search for some of these on a whim on eBay earlier tonight, and was kind of shocked at some of the low prices - particularly for pre-war stars in "A" or "Authentic Altered" slabs. Anyone collect or perhaps even focus on these? What has been your experience?

At the end of the day it's like I can't make up my mind: I like the attributes of many higher end cards, but I feel like they lead me to be a paranoid, OCD collector - and most of them are out of my price range anyway. Back when I was a kid I collected vintage for pure love and joy of the game - and in that respect a 1956 Ed Mathews with a crease on it or a '54 Bowman Campanella with battered corners was still a museum piece in my eyes. Thoughts on going "lower" with altered cards?

Thanks.

[x2drich2000]

At the end of the day you should collect what makes you happy. I have no problem with trimmed or altered cards and in some cases, even look for them. For me they generally fall into one of 3 categories 1) cards I would not be able to afford in any other condition, 2) cards I'm happy to have just found an example of, or 3) they are some kind of wrong-back, missing color, oddity that probably shouldn't exist. That said, I cant think of 1 postwar card I would intentionally seek to get either trimmed or altered.

And just cause any thread is better with pictures

[Leon]

When I first started collecting as an adult I had the same question, quantity or quality? For me it was quantity but with good eye appeal. I don't think it has to be one or the other though. I like both high end and lower end as long as the aesthetics are there. Collecting sets is a little different as I like the overall look to be the same so will not go high grade (due to my limited budget). But for an individual card to stand on it's own high grade is fine.

As for AUT cards I usually prefer not to go for them as I would always want one without the "but" in the sentence about a great card. But it's different for everyone. I have owned AUT cards when it made sense. There isn't anything wrong with owning them as long as you acquired them as AUT on the front end.

[ls7plus]

If it is a truly rare and significant item, I have no problem with an "altered" grade (would anyone turn down an "altered" 1914 Baltimore News Ruth, or even 1939 V351 Williams?). As to altered/trimmed, I purchased a Diamond Stars Foxx in the early '90's, before TPG really took hold which appeared near mint. I submitted it to PSA, but it came back trimmed and unslabbed. I subsequently presented it to PSA with a request that it be slabbed "authenticate/trimmed," and they complied. Foxx is a favorite of mine, yet I have no real desire to replace or upgrade this particular example. Simply a matter of personal preference.

Happy collecting,

Larry