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Posted By: warshawlaw

The cards are little photographs, so clarity of the photo is key. For example, I've got two N174 Jack Dempsey cards. One is in decent shape (SGC 40) with an average photo (normal degree of toning, ok clarity). The other is in a much lower technical grade (SGC 20) but with a great photo (the seller, not a card collector, found it in a scrap book and peeled it out. The back has a missing thin layer of paper but the photo is crisp and almost white). Which card is "better"? Certainly, many would say the higher grade one that is intact. I prefer the other card because it looks so much better.

Oddly, for printed cards, I am just the opposite. There, I far and away stress condition. Thinking about it, I do the same thing with 1953 Bowman cards--I own and am satisfied with far lower grade cards from that set than from other 1950's sets.

Good topic.