May pickups

[kailes2872]

After swinging and missing 3 times in the last month, I was finally able to score my 59 PSA Campanella Symbol of Courage upgrade. I lost the Probstein auction when my $78.50 snipe was outbid by a dollar at the very end. For this one, I put in a snipe of $83.50. I was probably over paying, but it was the last card I needed to have my '59 100% upgraded. I got it for $46.65 - so I was very pleased.

On August 9th of last year, I made an offer on a mid/lower grade set for $1250. He accepted the offer. From that point, I went through the set card by card making a note of any card that had as much as a surface wrinkle.

Some cards (May, Spahn, Spahn AS, Mantle, Banks, Kaline) were in terrible shape. Some were really close. For example, the Gibson looked to be fine at first but I noticed the slightest indication of a surface wrinkle when I held it up to the light.

All told, I had to upgrade 130 cards -
22 superstars (1 PSA 7, 18 PSA 6, 1 PSA 5.5, 1 PSA 5, 1 BVG 6.5) and Frank Robinson bought raw (as well as PSA 6)

20 Stars/Minor Stars (1 PSA 7, 5 PSA 6, 1 PSA 5) Larry Doby, and Richie Ashburn bought twice because I didn't update my list right when I purchased

14 Team Cards (Orioles as a PSA 5, Yankees bought twice, Reds bought twice)

5 Combo Cards (Aaron/Mathews Fence Busters and Corsair Trio both PSA 7's)

17 Raw High Numbers - Bob Thurman bought twice

53 Raw Commons.

My 130 cost me more than 2x the original cost of the set. I would have probably been better off just buying the higher graded set up front - but it has been fun upgrading it and getting it exactly how I wanted it. I am going to take another look at the album as I am sure there are a handful that I missed and will need to make those uniform as well. In the 137 duplicates that I now have for the set, I estimate that I have $600-$700 in condition adjusted value - but I tend to hold on to them.

Anyway, I am sorry for rambling on. It has been quite the time and energy investment and I am pretty stoked to finally get the last card needed!

[dembums]

Kevin - congratulations on finishing your set, that campy is sweet and you got a good deal on it too!

[itjclarke]

Upgraded my Bond Bread Robinson...

[mintacular]

Spent a pretty penny on this '57 Williams raw at the RMU show only be disappointed at home to see upon closer inspection 3 scratch marks on surface. Might still keep it, going to sub to PSA. Could grade anywhere from 4 to 6.5.

Upgraded my '57 Dodgers Sluggers with a better centered one.

[MattyC]

Top bottom centering on Mays is as good as I've seen. In hand the color on that card is astounding. Bought both of these raw from Sean B.-- one of the best in the biz.

[Brianruns10]

I just bought this incredible beauty a few days ago. It was one of my "white whales" for my '52 set. I have NEVER before seen one so perfectly centered, and in such great condition. If you look on ebay, all the nice ones have atrocious centering, while the centered ones tend to have major condition issues. I paid a fair premium over SMR, and it was totally worth it to add this one to my collection.

[ALR-bishop]

Very nice Brian