Need some help finding a Jackie Robinson card

[Bigmarccl]

Thank you for the reply. I was hoping to spend somewhere in the $100-$150 range (if that's possible). I would like it to be in the best condition possible for the money. I have heard of PSA but I'm not sure of the differences between that, SGC and Beckett. I guess I'm open to what year, I would just like it to be vintage. I said 50s because I was mainly looking at the 54-56 topps.

[pawpawdiv9]

You might try buying 'raw' ungraded from a reputable person.
There are many set builders that may have lower-end ones that they upgraded from.
As for grade companies..PSA is good for re-sell, SGC seems more consistent in grading. Its just a preference, but PSA does have the best registry.

[bn2cardz]

Cardtaget is a great website to see real prices of recently sold cards.

http://www.cardtarget.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

If you are looking in that price range a mid grade 1956 topps may be your best buy.

[Bigmarccl]

I appreciate all of your help and info sir. Is it true to assume that something on ebay that is graded will most likely be the real deal? I did read on a forum awhile ago (may have been an old post) that a card was for sale on ebay but it seemed like the psa case was cracked and then frosted to make it seem like it wasn't messed with. It's ashame that there are people out there who play games and try and rip people off.

[bn2cardz]

In the mid grad area you are thinking of it is less likely to find a fake in a slab. It is a lot of work for $150 for most scammers. They think bigger if they are going to take the time. It is true though that it has been known to happen. I have never seen a BGS or BVG (beckett grading) slabs tampered with, but a lot of people don't like the size (which is the same reason they are hard to tamper with).

PSA is the most commonly used slab to tamper because it is the largest company and commands the most premium for this years of baseball cards, so that extra premium attracts scammers. This doesn't mean that most of them are faked though.

[Shoebox]

There is always a risk but I believe there is a smaller chance of buying a fradulent graded card than of buying a trimmed or altered raw card. Do a google image search of tampered PSA cases and get an idea what to watch for. Look at the card and the seller hard before bidding. If something doesnt seem right then pass on it. Nothing wrong with taking an extra week and maybe spending $20 more to make sure you feel comforfable you are getting what you want.

[Bigmarccl]

How is something like this? BVG-4 VG-EX. The seller doesn't seem to have sold a lot of stuff but I was just browsing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-Topps-J...item4185e9572a

Another - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-Topps-J...item4ad8432f6e

Why no bids? - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jackie-Robin...item2a4245000d

[pawpawdiv9]

You gotta watch that positive feedback. The 1st one listed is poor despite a neg 12 months ago for a 'fake' Always check the buyers reviews and see what they been selling.
I reccommend using a PowerSeller.

[brian1961]

Hey BIGMARCCL,

You're most welcome. You spoke of your wife not being crazy about the idea of spending more. That might be very significant. As excited as you are at the prospect of making your nephew overjoyed, if your dear wife is not happy about it, do not do it. Period.

There are other options, such as several of the modern commemorative and tribute cards of Jackie Robinson made by Topps. (TO FIND SOME ON EBAY, SIMPLY GO BACK TO ABOUT "2006 TOPPS JACKIE ROBINSON", and type nothing else, see what comes up, then go to 2007, etc. to this year.) They are beautiful and much much less expensive. There are reprints---75-80% of the eye candy at a greatly reduced price.

If you must get him an original, still go with a graded card by PSA or SGC. However, work within a dollar range that your wife is comfortable with, too. This is imperative. Also, one thing that may be wisely going through her mind is this: "OK, we get the nephew a nice beautiful original, vintage Jackie Robinson card that's been officially graded and encapsulated---is this going to lead to a second Robinson card, then a third, a fourth, a fifth????????????????"

This is a very fair question on her part. Whether you know it or not, collecting vintage cards is VERY euphoric, exhilarating, expensive, fulfilling (as long as you keep on buying them!), and MOST OF ALL, ADDICTIVE. Just a friendly warning. We ARE on your side, but many of us have found that if our wife is not behind us in our collecting, it is not worth it.

Hope all goes well for everyone. --Brian Powell

[Shoebox]

For a 56 Topps I think you could get a graded card in the 4-6 range in your price range depending on how patient you are and how wide you search.