Looking for some thoughts on collecting cards by condition

[Jlighter]

The reason I don't agree is because you don't know how those creases got there. You could come up with a story of how those creases got there, which lead lead to more fun, but it greatly diminishes the presentability and therefore value of the card.

Now, if I had those cards from when they were pack fresh they would have great sentimental value to them, each crease and marking telling a story. Although a person wanting to purchase those cards would not have the same attachment to those cards. Nor would I blame them.

It could also depend on the provenance and story behind the card. For example if a card was creased from being signed by Mickey Mantle in person, and that story was passed down would be one thing. But if the card was merely stepped on by a younger brother would not be as intriguing.

[smtjoy]

I think condition is just one part of the equation for a collection, for some its the most important for others the least important, no right or wrong just up to each collector.


I find that for me on pre WW2 I prefer a solid VG- SGC 40.

On newer cards my sweet spot is EX-MT- SGC 80/PSA 6.

When I get cards that grade well above these I tend to sell the higher grade and downgrade and use the additional cash to add to my collection.

If they are lower than I hold till I can find and/or afford to get to upgrade to my sweet spot condition then sell off the filler.

[abrahamrudy]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

The reason I don't agree is because you don't know how those creases got there. You could come up with a story of how those creases got there, which lead lead to more fun, but it greatly diminishes the presentability and therefore value of the card.

Now, if I had those cards from when they were pack fresh they would have great sentimental value to them, each crease and marking telling a story. Although a person wanting to purchase those cards would not have the same attachment to those cards. Nor would I blame them.

It could also depend on the provenance and story behind the card. For example if a card was creased from being signed by Mickey Mantle in person, and that story was passed down would be one thing. But if the card was merely stepped on by a younger brother would not be as intriguing.

A lot of the fun for me, as a younger collector, is pretending that I'm holding the cards my dad or grandad might have held (my grandmother threw the real ones out, obviously, in the 70s). I like to imagine that the corner dings and the creases are a result of frantic schoolboy flipping and trading. I guess that's the nostalgic part of collecting for me. While it would definitely be cool to know "mickey mantle creased this card while signing it," there's a certain simple mystique to the golden age of baseball, and by just holding the cards, I can feel connected to it, just like any kid would have felt way back when. Maybe part of it is just the age factor.

[Jlighter]

Mr. Rudy- something I might consider in the future would be to have a few beaters for handling and "playing". And the rest of my collection for aesthetics and appeal.

[Bpm0014]

I'd rather a well-loved card than a perfect one

Abraham Rudy, couldn't agree more! I'm putting the T206 set together, and don't get me wrong, I appreciate a nice clean card just as much as anyone. But a card with a stamp on it, or some writing, or clipped corners, or some scrapbook residue just has so much more history! Maybe I'm a weirdo too...

[Wite3]

Love beaters...affordable, historical, easily handled and I do not have to worry about knocking $1000 off the value when I put it in a holder to display and accidentally ding a corner!

Joshua

[steve B]

I like both sorts of cards for different reasons.

I like some beaters because either they have some obvious history. Like the ones I had that had been heavily used for flipping. Some of them were waxed to make them heavier. And worn nearly round.
Other beaters I like because things have changed and it's become unlikely I could afford a nice one- or in some cases even a replacement. Like the red Cobb T206 with a Carolina brights back.

But I also like some of the higher graded cards. Some of the T206s I've had for years and a few from Ebay were really nice. A handful of them graded well enough that they're as nice as it gets for that front/back combo. And that's pretty cool too.

I guess when it comes to cards I'm just "easy"

Steve B

[abrahamrudy]

Originally Posted by Wite3

Love beaters...affordable, historical, easily handled and I do not have to worry about knocking $1000 off the value when I put it in a holder to display and accidentally ding a corner!

Joshua

Price is probably what got me into beaters, but yes there's definitely something to be said for not having to worry about handling.

[bbcard1]

Having finished my Monster, at least as far as I am apt to be able to take it (520), I am in the process of upgrading. I am trying to get all the cards with chunks missing, trims, creases across the face, etc upgraded, but I think a T206 looks best with some wear...I think about a 2.5 is the perfect grade for most T206s.