How have you gone about upgrading your existing collection

[MCoxon]

Have any of you gone back after amassing a collection and decided to upgrade?

I am a player collector, and I’ve got most of the basic and some of the advanced cards for each of my favorite players. I now notice that many of the cards from early in my recent collecting phase are not as nice as I’d like them to be. Many early purchases are off-centered, and some have poor registration or snow. So, mostly I’m upgrading either one or two grades higher, and sometimes within grade if the card has a much better eye appeal.

I’m wondering how others have approached this, and did you find it satisfying after doing a number of upgrades? I’m wondering if it will be rewarding - would love others’ experiences and even before and after pictures if you’re interested in posting

Thanks,

[mybestbretts]

I am constantly upgrading my player collection. With the internet & ebay it makes it easier.

[Robs70sCards]

I collect sets from the 70s mostly, and I've done one pass through the 71-77 sets. My 1978 Topps set is in excellent to near mint condition. That's the first year I collected cards so I've always put that together in relatively high grade.

I basically got rid of the really nasty beaters, and cards like were some kid had to draw a fu manchu on Joe Coleman. I still have lots of HOFers in low grade form, but with all the commons in decent shape it really helps the eye appeal of the whole set.

[Mark70Z]

I’ve been upgrading for a while now, but in no real hurry to do so. When I first started collecting Brooks Robinson it was just a matter of getting the card; I didn’t think much about the aesthetics at the time. Now, I’d like to acquire one in better condition. I don’t need a perfect card, but I’d like it to be centered, decent corners and nice registration w/no print dots if possible. Some of the cards I picked up when I first started collecting are rough (what was I thinking!).

I also started an autographed run of his regular issue cards about a month ago or so and I get in a hurry to complete (I’ll probably have to upgrade these as well).

[JollyElm]

I keep upgrading and upgrading my 1957 to 1972 sets and as soon as I think I'm finally finished upgrading...NOPE...I start all over again as I find 100 more cards that could/should be in better shape or centered better. Oof!! It really is a ridiculously non-stop cycle that I know will never end.

[jb67]

I collect player sets and am continually upgrading. I remember being very happy when I would start a a player set and was always buying the PSA grade rather than the card. Now I have even sold off some higher end player cards to buy more lower grade but high eye-appeal cards.

Certain player runs I like low-mid grade cards that look great for the grade and I also have a couple of player runs that I look for the highest grade I can find with the eye-appeal that works for me.

I think one thing I have learned for certain is that my goals are always changing over time. Cards I thought I would never part with (because I was so happy to finally acquire it in a certain grade) have been sold to fund other purchases.

Bottom line is upgrading never ever ends and that is what is enjoyable about this hobby.

[MCoxon]

Originally Posted by jb67

I collect player sets and am continually upgrading. I remember being very happy when I would start a a player set and was always buying the PSA grade rather than the card. Now I have even sold off some higher end player cards to buy more lower grade but high eye-appeal cards.

Certain player runs I like low-mid grade cards that look great for the grade and I also have a couple of player runs that I look for the highest grade I can find with the eye-appeal that works for me.

I think one thing I have learned for certain is that my goals are always changing over time. Cards I thought I would never part with (because I was so happy to finally acquire it in a certain grade) have been sold to fund other purchases.

Bottom line is upgrading never ever ends and that is what is enjoyable about this hobby.

Very interesting. Also, I note you sold off some of your original purchases rather than keep multiples. Did you use eBay? To this point, I've never sold any cards...

Also, so far, when I have upgraded, I've used "variations" to get a better upgrade (e.g., 1956 white back vs. gray back; 1958 white letter Aaron; or an o-pee-chee version vs. a Topps version).

[Chuck9788]

My upgrades involve spreading out my card collection (goal is for most major sets to be represented).


When I've witnessed peoples card collection over the years, I've noticed that they often have a ton of cards from particular sets they like and then literally no representation from some other major sets. I always thought that looked odd, or better yet non symmetrical. So my upgrade is improving my collection to flow better.

[Exhibitman]

Another factor: money. I had a few cards sell recently and splurged on this upgrade:



Both Louis variations from the 1948 Leaf set. I had a beater already as a place filler but hated to spend the bux on an upgrade when funds were tighter. I saw the two cards in separate auctions, had the cash, and decided to go for it.

[Volod]

I upgraded a '51 Topps Ringside set a while ago that had been completely satisfactory to me for many years with the key card beater, but could not resist the upgrade, since it included a surprising profit on the beater in a swap.

[jchcollins]

At some point I need to upgrade my '56 Mantle. It presents VG or better, but technically would probably grade a 1 or an A due to some paper loss on a pressed out corner. That's it's main flaw, but besides that the card is perfectly centered and has killer color, looks better than many 4's I've seen that are not centered as well. I would love to upgrade to a PSA 4 or 5, but with what those go for these days, I would have to save for a while and then likely trade in my current Mantle on it - which I would be loathe to do - despite it's flaws, it's a card I've had since my childhood and there is sentimental attachment to it.

Beyond that one card there is not much in my PC I would care about upgrading. I collect individual singles for HOF'ers and stars, and get mid-grade that I can afford but still feel good about usually to start with. For 1950's cards I don't mind PSA 4's, and for the '60s there are still a lot of good deals to be had on PSA 5's and 6's that, while they may not be considered "high end" - they are still in great shape as far as I'm concerned. My most recent affordable addition there was a '68 Clemente, PSA 7 that is a really nice card.

[MCoxon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Another factor: money. I had a few cards sell recently and splurged on this upgrade:



Both Louis variations from the 1948 Leaf set. I had a beater already as a place filler but hated to spend the bux on an upgrade when funds were tighter. I saw the two cards in separate auctions, had the cash, and decided to go for it.

That is a great 5 of Joe Louis, it looks as good as a lot of 7s. Is there a back wrinkle or something not visible?

[Exhibitman]

Upper right corner ding.

Given how hard it is to find them centered and with proper registration I am very pleased with the pair.