[GregMitch34]

Yeah, they've been around forever, I always had a few tattered ones (Merkle!), but never got much attention because of inevitable condition issues and mainly--no PSA grading! Only BGS. Still, I have always loved them. As a photog, I appreciate the quality of the images, the very large size and sepia. Almost nothing like them, and some captures are simply stunning.

The attention and value started changing a few years back when PSA started grading. Fit the PSA holder very well and look great. Very few noticed at first, as few graded, but now surging (relative to the norm for these), as top cards now boast at least half-dozen graded and some a dozen or more. Prices have soared at major auction houses while raw, flawed, ones are now frequent on eBay.

PSA has kept everyone guessing by being super-tough on grading, with any crease or invariable slight border nick or tear almost always earning a "1." Absolutely gorgeous examples with square corners but one tiny flaw still get a 1.5 at best. Man, to get a "3" you really earn it. Total number of "5s" so far: 5, and none higher. So in many cases it is buy-the-image-not-the-grade, with Cubs players seemingly getting a nice boost a value. BGS grades now seem inflated and no one seems interested in them now.

Anyway: If you want to add your two cents or two dollars here please do so. It will be interesting to see if prices hold or gain or fade as more graded. Or perhaps the universe of these in good condition is very small. The elite cards now are: Jackson, Cobb, Wagner, Cobb-Wagner, Johnson-Street, Matty, and Alexander (often called his rookie card)....