Funky E90-1 auction thanks to PSA?

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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

I don't mean to perpetuate a controversy since the auction is over but since you asked me directly, here's what I would say to your questions:

1. It's very possible that the machine broke or erred and the blank back was created in error. But that's irrelevant: it doesn't tell us anything about whether the broken machine was printing E90-1s or E92s at the time.

2. Not touching it myself has nothing to do with it. I don't KNOW it's not an E90-1, but neither can you KNOW that it is one. I have never claimed to KNOW which set it is from. But the burden of proof is on you because you have made a positive (legally binding) claim that you cannot verify. There's a lot of evidence that E92s appear with blank backs, and no conclusive evidence that E90-1s do. I have a blank back McLean myself. It looks EXACTLY like yours, but I wouldn't feel justified in selling it as an E90-1 (even if PSA graded it that way), because I believe it's much more likely to be an E92.

3. You seem to think that because no one can say for sure what it is, you as the seller can claim whatever is most convenient for you. That's a pretty questionable position.

4. Sure, "it could be the ONLY E90-1 blank back of McLean who knows???" But that's exactly the point: you can't KNOW either. You took advantage of the grading company's decision and advertised that you KNOW what it is. That's what I object to. The impossibility of KNOWING which set it comes from should have been indicated in the auction, in my opinion.

5. "How come BOTH SGC & PSA labeled it as a E90-1 after they inspected it?"
Well, uh, because, as we all know, grading companies frequently take shortcuts and make mistakes in labeling. We've all seen the incredible mistakes they have made in labeling. I would trust them to grade the card's condition more than I would trust them to KNOW what the card is.

In any case, you got a great price for the card-- what are you complaining about?

Regards,

Tim