When to Slab Tickets/Stubs?

[Smanzari]

Hi All-

Seems I have this question annually, as it seems I "Find" an Important Ticket / Stub (or in this case, stubs via auction) once a year.

Seems every time I ask "should I slab these," seems the consensus is typically "No," and it seemed with the auction of the last one I had (early Jordan ~ $1k end on eBay), this was completely valid/true.

I guess the question this time is for Ticket Stubs / Tickets WHEN is it the best move to grade them?

• Debut of a HOFer?
• Major Milestone such as 500 HR? (though I think I had one of those previously and talked out of it)
• World Series Games?
• High Grade? (Do these really matter? Grades for Tickets seem to be a toss-up in MOST cases)
• Low Pop with perceived demand?

Admittedly, I will probably sell this grouping raw given previous experience (and TAT) and you will probably see them here on B/S/T once in hand; was just wondering

[Rhotchkiss]

As a relatively new collector of tickets, as with cards, I want ALL of my tickets slabbed. They are just worth more, and i like to know that someone has opined they are real; not that the TPGs are always right. And, for me and tickets, its pretty much PSA or bust; I know BVG slabs tickets but I am very down on their flips, I feel they are barely better than GAI.

I will buy raw tickets, but I will then have them slabbed. As with cards, If you care about value, slab them.

One side story - I was recently bidding on a ticket that was apparently from the Beatles first performance on the Ed Sullivan show. It was raw. PSA would not grade it because its not entirely clear/certain its real and/or from that show. I was willing to risk $X and someone was willing to risk one increment more than I, but the ticket sold for probably 25% what it would have gone for in a PDSA slab. This is true of alleged 1903 WS tickets and other tickets that lack the date and/or clear indicia that a certain ticket was for a certain event.

[Snapolit1]

I'd rather have a slabbed ticket if there is a story to tell. The slab will tell it.

Slabbed tickets are worth more.

Even slabbed photos now seem to sell better.

[David Atkatz]

I'm not a big fan of third party "authenticators" in general, and slabbing in particular.
If every flat in my collection were slabbed, the storage space required would be immense.
If I do happen to purchase a slabbed autograph, or photo, out come the pliers!
I have never purchased a slabbed ticket, but here is one of the most valuable items in my collection--a Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day stub. There is one appearing now in the Winter Heritage auction, and it is currently at $75,000. When I sell, I'll let the auction house slab it, if they desire.
At their expense.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I'm not a big fan of third party :"authenticators" in general, and slabbing in particular.
If every flat in my collection were slabbed, the storage space required would be immense.
If I do happen to purchase a slabbed autograph, or photo, out come the pliers!
I have never purchased a slabbed ticket, but here is one of the most valuable items in my collection--a Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day stub. There is one appearing now in the Winter Heritage auction, and it is currently at $75,000. When I sell, I'll let the auction house slab it, if they desire.
At their expense.

Amen, David

[BRoberts]

So we don't need a flip to tell us the story of the Lou Gehrig ticket? How would anyone know what they're buying or bidding on?

[parker1b2]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I'm not a big fan of third party "authenticators" in general, and slabbing in particular.
If every flat in my collection were slabbed, the storage space required would be immense.
If I do happen to purchase a slabbed autograph, or photo, out come the pliers!
I have never purchased a slabbed ticket, but here is one of the most valuable items in my collection--a Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day stub. There is one appearing now in the Winter Heritage auction, and it is currently at $75,000. When I sell, I'll let the auction house slab it, if they desire.
At their expense.

Well said. If I ever buy or win something slabbed, it comes right out.

[perezfan]

The OP asked the forum when it's best to slab tickets...

My answer would be "never" based on the corruption, sleaze, over-pricing and monopolistic practices of the "slabbing companies". Unfortunately there are currently no good options for 3rd Party Grading. And more importantly, no need for it.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I will buy raw tickets, but I will then have them slabbed. As with cards, If you care about value, slab them.

Uh, no.