Grading hits home

[Archive]

Posted By: Tbob

Waaaay up this thread, Dan talks about the relative inexperience of graders vis a vis vintage, scarcer cards and how the graders are more comfortable and knowledgeable grading McGwire rookies and cards from the 80's and 90's and 00's. I agree 100%. A case in pint is the 1909 Obak set. Unlike the 1910 and 1911 sets, the 1909 Obaks were almost all hand cut and yet nice 09s which have sat in a collection for over 25 years are routinely sent back as "trimmed." I have tried to get the whole 1909 set graded by the 3 bigger grading companies, PSA, SGC and GAI, but it is almost impossible for this reason.
I also shake my head in wonder when a vintage caramel card from an E94 or E98 set or an M116 Spoting Life card is sent back with "evidence of trimming" and yet I see certain collector/dealers having their obviously trimmed cards sail through. It's very frustating for the small time collector. I guess there is no answer, thanks for letting me rant...