Best looking PSA 1 card ever? Show 'em!

[tschock]

Figured I'd start a thread lamenting PSA's grading practices, as this seemed like a novel idea. But hopefully with a twist.

Just got back a batch of cards from PSA, and while most were better than expected, of course there would be a few head scratchers. This graded a 1, even though one in worse overall condition (with similar border chipping) got a 2, and one got a 5 MC with obvious chipping since it totally broke the black outline in a few places.

Larger images available as:
https://imageshack.com/a/img921/3681/69JjBw.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/4531/PcPfK3.jpg

In any case, for bragging rights alone, show us you most head scratching PSA 1s (or SGC 10s).

[swarmee]

Still a pretty valuable card with eye appeal. Yeah, there is a lot of chipping or paper loss on the right side of that card. Maybe a pinhole (almost closed up) at the top center? That would easily explain the 1, however there are now some instances of pinholes getting 2s, including one I just got back.

[commishbob]

I'm probably out in left field on this given how few graded cards pass through my hands but these two happen to be right next to me at the moment. In the scan and in person the Mantle presents better that the Pierce. The crease does Mickey in.

img002.jpg

[brob28]

Not a PSA 1, but close enough, card has a slight crease, you can see it as a vertical white line in Mick's cap over his left eye.

[MattyC]

[robsbessette]

Tape residue along the top. Doesn't bother me one bit. Popped it from the case and it looks amazing in my binder.

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Whoever graded that card should be barred from the industry!!!!

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by MattyC

That is insane! What, is the back peeled off or something? a 1?

I just had grades pop today - mostly very disappointed and shocked. I will post scans when I receive.
At best I think PSA is more inconsistent than ever!!

[MattyC]

Yep, back has lots of gunk on it. Still, all I ever look at on my cards is the fronts. For the corners on such an old card to be that well preserved is really cool.

[CW]

It's tough to follow up Matt's sweet Jackson, and this next card maybe isn't the best 1 ever, but it's a good one. This one has a few small spots of paper loss on the reverse.

[tschock]

OK, at "10" prices, I'll take the Jackson, Ruth, and Mantle. Definitely true in these cases, the old saw of "nice for the grade".

[jmb]

My lowest graded card. Tiny area of paper loss on the bottom back corner that doesn't affect any of the wording.

[GasHouseGang]

I don't mind the prewar cards as much with some paper loss on the back, which drives down the technical grade and thus the price. Here's an example.

[mrmopar]

I don't do much in the way of graded cards usually, but this one came with a nice price. Seemed under graded to me.

[sthoemke]

Originally Posted by tschock

Figured I'd start a thread lamenting PSA's grading practices, as this seemed like a novel idea. But hopefully with a twist.

Just got back a batch of cards from PSA, and while most were better than expected, of course there would be a few head scratchers. This graded a 1, even though one in worse overall condition (with similar border chipping) got a 2, and one got a 5 MC with obvious chipping since it totally broke the black outline in a few places.

Larger images available as:
https://imageshack.com/a/img921/3681/69JjBw.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/4531/PcPfK3.jpg

In any case, for bragging rights alone, show us you most head scratching PSA 1s (or SGC 10s).

That is a super nice card.

Unless there is a pinhole or some kind of surface anomaly, I would guess that the PSA Inputter pressed "1" instead of "4" on the computer's keypad and the error wasn't caight.

I would send back to PSA for reevaluation.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by sthoemke

That is a super nice card.

Unless there is a pinhole or some kind of surface anomaly, I would guess that the PSA Inputter pressed "1" instead of "4" on the computer's keypad and the error wasn't caight.

I would send back to PSA for reevaluation.

It appears from the scan that there's paper loss all the way down the front right hand side of the card. If that's true then the grade is accurate.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

It appears from the scan that there's paper loss all the way down the front right hand side of the card. If that's true then the grade is accurate.

You are correct, David. However I have a similar one graded as a 2 with the same paper loss down the left side. And then this one for comparison:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142980282359

All 3 are from the same submission batch. The inconsistency for me is the head scratcher.

All in all, I still think it's great looking "Poor" card.

[MattyC]

Good Lord that Evers and Ruth are stunners.

[Leon]

Always thought this was a great looking 1.5. So much so I have owned it 2x.

[1966CUDA]

Here is a nice Ted Williams...pin hole above the letter "L" in "outfield".

[Collectorsince62]

I guess since it's a 1 of 1, the grader decided to give it a 1. A rare card survives 100 years in this condition and is labeled Poor. Unbelievable. Fortunately in this case the grade was trumped by the rarity and it realized a nice auction price.

[MikeGarcia]

[bobsbbcards]

[ALR-bishop]

Are there ang graded transfers Bob ?

[insidethewrapper]

This one wasn't even graded ! Does anyone know why ????

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

This one wasn't even graded ! Does anyone know why ????

Well, based on the PSA label, they don't believe the card is authentic. Why, I don't know.

[yanksfan09]

Originally Posted by CW

It's tough to follow up Matt's sweet Jackson, and this next card maybe isn't the best 1 ever, but it's a good one. This one has a few small spots of paper loss on the reverse.

You may have me beat there by a light crease in corner, but I have a comparable one... Mine too has a bit of paper loss on reverse.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

This one wasn't even graded ! Does anyone know why ????

My guess is the card was cut too far into the border.

[packs]

My entry:

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Are there ang graded transfers Bob ?

PSA has graded five of the transfers--two PSA 2's and three PSA 1's.

They've also graded 12 of the Elect Your Favorite Rookie cards--two PSA 4's, three PSA 2's, six PSA 1's, and one PSA Authentic.

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

Well, based on the PSA label, they don't believe the card is authentic. Why, I don't know.

It's not authentic. Look at the "cut along the dotted line" marks in the corners. Real Bazooka cards have "T" shaped marks. Fakes will show "L" shaped marks. If the corner doesn't have a "T" shaped mark, it will be less symmetrical. Here's an example:

[insidethewrapper]

Please explain further. It appears the Kaline you showed also has some "L" shaped corners. Do all the 1963 Bazooka Kalines have the same corner markings ? Also a don't see a "t" shape. Thanks for the information.

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

Please explain further. It appears the Kaline you showed also has some "L" shaped corners. Do all the 1963 Bazooka Kalines have the same corner markings ? Also a don't see a "t" shape. Thanks for the information.

Here are scans of all of the 1963 Bazooka panels. Picture someone with an ink pen drawing dashes around the three-card panel. When they get to a corner, they don't intentionally make an "L" shape—they simply bend the dash around the corner. When the outer border is finished, they turn their attention to the vertical lines between the cards and simply make a random dashed vertical line that bumps into the outer border. It that leaves a gap (look at the bottom left of the Clemente on the fifth panel) that's fine. If that creates a "T" shape (look at the same panel at the top between Clemente and Johnny Callison) that works too.

On the Kaline you show, the dashes appear to be too symmetrical and the corners appear to be intentionally "L" shaped as if there was only one card being created and not a three-card panel. I can't 100% guarantee that it isn't authentic, but those are the tell-tale signs of a Bazooka card that isn't.