Howdy everyone. Just inherited some 1939 play ball cards from my grandfather.
 

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Thanks for the post. A few things, don't soak that card, it will ruin it. It's not a lithograph like T206s, and it will likely warp the card stock. Also, it's not particularly valuable either way.

On grading, if they're all that sharp (minus the back gunk) I would definitely get them graded. They would probably be worth (perhaps a lot) more than the grading fees, I would hazard to guess. I don't collect this set, but they wouldn't be that expensive to grade. Either PSA or SGC will do just fine.

Finally, in terms of sale, I would start here on the B/S/T threads. List them at prices you think are reasonable based on recent eBay sales. If you sell them here you avoid about 13% in fees. If they don't sell here, try eBay or Sterling Sports Auctions.

Good luck!

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Edited to add: okay, just did a quick eBay search. Even in fairly good shape you're probably looking at a couple hundred bucks for these at most. Depending on grade/scarcity and recent eBay sales of graded ones, $5-$25 each. I might not get them graded. Just sell them as a lot/collection and list them on B/S/T for $_____. An enterprising set collector will surely pick them up. Again, good luck!

I recently sold a graded partial set (about half the set) of these including DiMaggio, 6 other Hall of Famers, and a bunch of high numbers and only got $1200 so don't get too excited. Very odd that there are only commons, but the fact that there are some high numbers is good. It's a very underrated set, and I'd be interested but obviously not sight unseen. The problem with black picture corners is they often discolor the paper, so grading them you wind up with low grades or (mk) qualifiers on nice looking cards.

The more images you post the better you'll do regardless of who buys it!

Good Luck.

I dont think I would spend the cash on grading these unless they look absolutely fantastic. The one shown is not worth much more than the shipping in the condition its in and being unsoakable.

If they are in beautiful condition and the corners are tight, I would compare them to some graded a 6 or higher on ebay before even considering grading. If you can get above a 6, I would grade for sale to set builders looking for higher grade commons. If they are 6's you may get around 40 for most commons. If they are in "good" condition like you mentioned most are worth 5 to 10 dollars at best. It not a goldmine, but it may help your grandmother with the electric bill for a month. I would try to sell them here first as the ebay fees will cut the 150 dollars you make down to around 110.

The two cards in that list worth sending in are the two Dizzy Trouts if you really wanted to see what kind of grades the others may get. They are not worth much still, but may be the cards you get the best return on. This is unfortunately just not a high demand set with DiMaggio and Williams being the two most want.

As both Scott and Justin have mentioned, I would not worry about grading these unless the card compared to a PSA/SGC 7 or higher. You do have a significant number of high# cards (116 or higher) that are much more likely to bring more profit in higher grades. The low# will likely not be worth grading unless PSA/SGC 8 or higher.

I collect this set and only have the HoF and stars graded; I look for the commons ungraded (mostly in the VG-EX range), but there is a group of collectors out there trying to complete this set in a PSA/SGC 7 or higher and would pay more for those cards already graded (especially if the card is centered well).

Dave

Not knocking the OP, but never really understood why in the age of eBay people come here and say they have no idea how to get information on what cards are worth. 15 minutes on ebay will at least give you a ball park understanding of value in the marketplace.

He asked for help determining if he should grade the cards, and where to sell them. Not what they're worth.

I agree with the others, post some pictures and see if you can sell as an upgraded lot here first. There will probably be some interest.

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Of course he can check a value if he knows the card but ebay won't give the advice needed otherwise. Most people find Net54baseball by googling vintage cards etc.... Many see a friendly forum to ask advice from so they do.

Ellrick,
Sorry if we disappointed you a bit. As was stated earlier, this set is underrated and at this time fairly inexpensive. As an example for your card #162, I purchased a PSA3 VG #162 for $19 about 5 months ago. There was a PSA5 that sold for $70. If one sold for $1000, it must have been a PSA8.5-9 to get that.
Dave

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Not to be mean but your scanner settings are awful. The scan is so bleached out or over-exposed you can't see detail. That being said your soaking certainly didn't seem to hurt the card.

Keep the card between two sheets of printer paper overnight, replace the paper in the morning, then let it dry another day.

^^Great advice ^^ If you remove it before it is completely dry the card will curl(warp).

http://i.imgur.com/2BwV7O2.jpg

I just set the DPI to high and hit scan like a doofus.

Thanks for the tips guys, I was using paper towels, will try printer paper.

H/T to my new friend Henry.