What would you do? Grading question
 

First, I'll say these cards aren't for sale and hopefully won't be for a long time, so factor that into your thinking. I was thinking of getting some cards graded, just some of the better ones and thought about these four cards. They are all upside down Piedmonts, with four backs showing(scan is flipped for better viewing). Three of them should get decent grades(no creases or flaws besides corners), the Davis is a little beat up.

The thing in my mind, is that I like the display factor, putting the backs together so it looks like a partial sheet. With that being said though, I don't just sit there and put them together like that every once in awhile. I usually look at the scan if I want to do that. So unless SGC/PSA comes out with a holder big enough for four cards, and they won't move around, getting them graded ruins that display aspect.

If these cards were yours and you planned out keeping them, what would you do? Grade them and look at the scan if you want to see them together? Don't grade them because it would ruin the display? Or just hold off on grading until it's time to sell? I've thought about all three choices for awhile

Have you tried contacting SGC to see if they would be willing to make a custom sleeve that would hold all 4? They may be able to use a bigger holder like used for T3s with a custom insert. Then on the slip they can grade each card with the grade next to the name. It would be a very neat display.

Get 'em graded and make the connection with a scan like you have already done.

I asked a friend(Johnny V) to ask next time he went there to grade cards. He always goes and talks to them, brings them oddities, so I figured he could ask. I'm not sure if they would be able to actually align/position the cards so they didn't move at all. It would have to be a pretty tight fit so there is no movement at all. If one cards slips behind another, even a little bit, it basically ruins the whole thing.

It's a cool effect that would be impossible to replicate once graded. When displaying or sharing your cards with others, do you show them this in person or do you just show them a picture? If it's just a picture then I'd grade, but if you like to play the whole,"Bet you've never seen this before", parlor trick game, I'd just keep them raw.

Neat cards!

Personally, I wouldn't grade them.

Also, when it does come time to sell these, the customer likely won't be someone putting together a mid-grade set that needs the cards individually, want them holdered, put them in set-order, never to put the backs together again.

The customer instead will buy them due to the backs fitting together and they will want to put the backs together raw to see how well they match, etc. I don't think the grade will matter to them as much.

just my preference and 0.02, good luck w/your decision!
Rob
:)

I don't show off cards too often in person and thinking about it, I've had them 11 years and I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who has seen them(in person) put together like that. The people who see my cards are family or close friends and most of them want to see my Babe Ruth cards...which I have zero of. The Dots Miller cards get more attention than any others, so cards like these have close to zero interest for family/friends.

I have often wondered if I could get my Tinker, Evers and Chance T206's in a single graded slab. Right now they're bunched together pretty closely in a screw-down. Still looks pretty cool. Harry Steinfeldt didn't fit.

That is what I was thinking Rob, if I did sell the cards, they might be worth more as a group, but also it might be better to keep them as a group. I meant to mention this above, I have seen only three others like this and there might be one more. Someone told me they knew of another back when I only knew of two, but didn't know who the player was, so the third one I know now might be that one. Anyway, it just means this is something that may never be replicated, so it is best to keep them together.

This is exactly the kind of minor ingenuity I think this situation needs. With a bit of thinking you could figure out a cool DIY display yourself, or ask other resourceful members of the forum -- I've seen their photos. This way, you get the best of both worlds, ie, you obviously love playing with the cards on occasion so why get them graded unless you want to sell?

Bvg
 

If interested, I believe we at BVG could do this (put them all in a single slab with seals in between the cards to prevent movement).

I wouldn't grade them. I might make high res copies and make a framed display.

+1

^ My vote... If you do get them graded.

Just wondering, how would the grade on the slab read if the cards were technically different? Or 3 separate grades?

I'd have to see how it looks/works with something else. I think the seals would break the cards up too much, so it didn't have that partial sheet feel to it. Message me about it.

That might be something more people are interested in as well. I bet someone with all four of the Cobbs would like something like that, or as someone else said, the Cubs infield

great idea cant hurt to ask, i would think they would jump at the chance to slab something like that. But if not keep them raw

If you've got a screwdown big enough for all four cutting a gasket like they use in the slabs is pretty easy. And most art stores sell acid free matboard in a few colors. Something close to Piedmont blue might be nice for these.

I think I have some light green and black and maybe one other color around and could put something together after the weekend.

Steve B