The New Guy...

[Iwantmorecards77]

Hello gang! I've been browsing these boards for a couple of months and finally decided to stop in! I'm new to this whole "vintage" game, but have long admired these "artifacts" of baseball's past. The funds...well, really are never there. lol

Obviously, I have a huge list of cards I would love to own one day, some of which may never happen but that's okay. I have always had a thing for the T206's (surprise!) and just recently dove right in and picked up a few cards. While I have owned just two T206's before (one common I recently sold and a McGraw Portrait), these few cards have really added a nice little flavor to my mostly modern (so kill me!) collection.

As a newbie, I have had my concerns. Again, the funds are on the low side, so I wanted to be careful. I've done some research before purchasing (a lot of it from this very site): detecting fakes, detecting fake holders, what "reasonable" prices are, past auctions (on the "bay"), matching certification numbers, and reputable sellers (plenty of feedback and 100% positive, selling similar items, etc.)

So, finally I decided to purchase a Ty Cobb "Bat Off Shoulder" (PSA 3.5), Christy Mathewson "Portrait" (PSA 3), and a Walter Johnson "Portrait" (PSA 2). While I am thrilled to add these to my collection, as a rookie vintage collector, I still get woried with all the "crookedness" that goes on out there! From this site, I've read about fakes ending up in real PSA or SGC holders, "doctored" cards, and so forth.

If any of you vets out there have any more pointers, feel free to share. Should I be this nervous when I purchase? (I've always been one to worry about everything - it kinda' takes the fun out of it a bit)

I know my cards are in PSA holders. The certification numbers match. The sellers have 100% feedback (and plenty of past transactions). They've sold similar items. The cards look legit. But this isn't always a guarantee! How long before we have a grading company to grade graded cards to make sure the cards are real? (that was meant as a semi-joke!)

Perhaps I am nervous because I am new. I thought this place would help me a long a bit. I still look at my cards and wonder how upset I'd be if they turned out not to be the "real deal." At first, I wondered why my Walter Johnson had a blue line around it's collar, shoulders, and the blue in his eyes was a bit off making it look (kind of) like he had four eyes (a Blue 4-eyed T206 Johnson! - Hey, I've also noticed the blue eye Wagner threads!) But after some research, I noticed some T206's print to be a bit off and some cards have this "blue lining" (even on a PSA 9 Walter Johnson Portrait!) So my fears about that card were put to rest.

I'm still looking at the Mathewson holder with shifty eyes - again, perhaps because I'm paranoid!

I'm sure these sellers (and cards!) are fine. Perhaps a seller or two is a member here (don't be offended - I'm still getting my feet wet!)

Again, I am a "newbie" with a long first post. I hope I didn't bore you and if any of you ever want to pitch in with a pointer or two, a very special thanks in advance!

Best of Wishes,

Todd