[Bigmarccl]

Originally Posted by T2069bk

There are plenty of choices.

53-56 will be in your range depending. I prefer 55 or 56

Raw will often be cheaper, but is open to various scams- trimming/reprints/photoshop tricks etc.

The best choice in my mind when dealing with card issues that you are not familiar with is to go with grading companies (warning: opinions coming take them for what they are worth):
PSA- great for investors - the higher the grade the better - more abundant in your date range sturdy case
SGC - visually appealing case - often mistakenly associated with OLD cards (Pre 1940) so not much in your current range
Beckett - not many out there - large case often the best bargain

That being said the grading companies have warts too: inconsistent grading/slabs can be tampered with/ they have mistakenly graded reprints.

Just a matter of piece of mind to go with graders.

But tell more about the boy- what does he collect already? Does he collect graded cards now? Does he have a preference in company?

I always say buy the card not the grade...

A nice PSA 1 1953

A PSA 4 1955

An SGC 60 1956

or outside the box:

1955 Golden Stamp PSA 8

Exhibits PSA 4.5

Either way just thinking this way is pretty cool- good luck and hope you update us with what you got!

Thank you for the reply and the information. My nephew is 11 years old. He does have some cards but nothing graded and he does take care of what he has. I have given him a few cards and he absolutely loves them. He has told me before how much he would love to get a jackie robinson card and he does seem to be into collecting. When he told me about the jackie robinson card I immediately wanted to look into getting him one but when I think jackie robinson I think of getting a vintage card from when he played. For some reason I'm not a big fan of the newer cards of older players. I know it would make his year, that's why I'm on this mission. I must say EACH AND EVERY reply and private message I have gotten has been greatly appreciated and very helpful. Everyone here is so nice to take the time to help me in this process.