60's and 70's raw craziness

[nolemmings]

I have been dabbling in post-war 60's and 70's unslabbed cards lately (actually spending more time and $$$ than I thought), and am bemused by the prices these cards are costing. This 1970 Frank Robby with hours left is already at $90.00, and the Palmer is at $78.00.


These are very nice cards, no doubt, but just sampling, I saw where a Palmer PSA 8 could be had for under $40, and a completed sale shows a PSA 8 Robby sold for under $50. Here the ungraded Robby is even off-center T/B, and the Palmer has a print smear down in the name block. Does someone (at least two bidders) think these would grade mint?

The phenomenon is not limited to 1970 cards either, which frankly are not the most popular and sought-after set. I just chose these to get a discussion going on whether others are seeing a noticeable bump in the price of high-condition raw cards from the 60's and early 70's. Seems a better option to just buy and crack PSA 8s if you want to build a nice set for a binder.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Sometimes cards are better sold ungraded. If these cards were graded 7s they would be valued as 7s. If they are ungraded - then the potential grade becomes part of the lure. A lot of people are obsessed with grading even though they don't fully understand the grading standards. The centering on the Frank and the print mark on the Palmer are going to keep them away from 9 range and maybe even 8 but to the untrained eye they look beautiful and they are gathering a batch of raw gems to send off in hopes of getting the big score. But yes, they could have bought a 7 or 8 for much less. But they might just have a 9 or 10.

[swarmee]

We started noticing this a couple of years ago; you can look back and find other posts asking how Greg Morris cards get so much for raw ungraded. That's also a reason there are a few eBay resellers who do take lower graded PSA/SGC/BGS cards and crack and sell raw. Some of the buyers are just trying to put together clean raw sets, but many are trying to learn the grading game.

Originally Posted by swarmee

We started noticing this a couple of years ago; you can look back and find other posts asking how Greg Morris cards get so much for raw ungraded. That's also a reason there are a few eBay resellers who do take lower graded PSA/SGC/BGS cards and crack and sell raw. Some of the buyers are just trying to put together clean raw sets, but many are trying to learn the grading game.

I was observing this last night on a 1973 Topps Clemente that GMC had listed as NM/MT. The bidding was approaching $300 when a PSA 8 could be had for <$150. I gues it is the "hope" that the card could grade as a 9 or 10 that drives the frenzy.

[irv]

I think GM cards is growing all the time as well, meaning more eyes are upon their auctions.

I know I have noticed this quite often when trying to acquire 52 Topps cards.

Imo, there are reasons why some are leaving other auction houses and gravitating towards GM cards, and shipping fees are just one of them.

With all my raw 52's, if I was ever thinking of consigning with someone, GM most likely would be the place.

Originally Posted by irv

I think GM cards is growing all the time as well, meaning more eyes are upon their auctions.

I know I have noticed this quite often when trying to acquire 52 Topps cards.

Imo, there are reasons why some are leaving other auction houses and gravitating towards GM cards, and shipping fees are just one of them.

With all my raw 52's, if I was ever thinking of consigning with someone, GM most likely would be the place.

Speaking for myself, GMC is one of the few Ebay vendors where I generally have 100% confidence in their grade assessments. I still look the cards over prior to bidding but very seldom have I got a surprise once the cards have been received.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by irv

I think GM cards is growing all the time as well, meaning more eyes are upon their auctions.

I know I have noticed this quite often when trying to acquire 52 Topps cards.

Imo, there are reasons why some are leaving other auction houses and gravitating towards GM cards, and shipping fees are just one of them.

With all my raw 52's, if I was ever thinking of consigning with someone, GM most likely would be the place.

The main thing I don't enjoy from GM is the 10% CA sales tax. It's a beating on a big ticket item.

[Suitntieguy]

Originally Posted by sfh24

I was observing this last night on a 1973 Topps Clemente that GMC had listed as NM/MT. The bidding was approaching $300 when a PSA 8 could be had for <$150. I gues it is the "hope" that the card could grade as a 9 or 10 that drives the frenzy.

I have noticed the same thing and yes, it’s crazy. IMHO, there is little way to really tell the true condition from an internet pic. There are so many cards in 7 holders that look like a 9 but they are not 9s because there is something the naked eye couldn’t see. There is too much risk in paying 200% of an 8 for a high dollar vintage card, especially if over the internet.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

It is mostly about speculation. Someone sees a raw card and thinks it could be a 9 or whatever and gambles.

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