Real or Fake - 1949 Bowman

[the 'stache]

Hard to be absolutely certain with the card scanned inside a penny sleeve, but I'm guessing somewhere around good + to very good, so a PSA 2.5 to 3. As to its authenticity, I don't see anything disqualifying, but I'm not as familiar with the '49 set. The typography looks correct to me, and I see no evidence that anything has been erased on the back where the word reprint might have been.

The main issues with the condition are the surface crease in the upper left corner, and what appears to be another smaller wrinkle along the lower left edge. All four corners are quite soft, and the one in the upper left might include a touch of paper loss. Again, I'd need to look at it in person under a loupe to be certain. I also see a chip on the top right edge of the reverse. Centering is pretty good, down and to the left. Color and registration are good. Border soiling is consistent with a card 65 years old.

A nice low-grade example you've got here.

[Neal]

solid PSA 3.5 - 4 imo

[the 'stache]

I would have said a solid 3, maybe slightly higher before, but I'm trying to look at the card the way PSA is grading now. Cards I think deserve 6.5 to 7s are coming back with 5s. I see no way a card with a crease like that in the upper left corner, and a possible second one on the lower border, is coming back with a 4 with how strict they're being now. I would hope I'm wrong, but I think you guys are being a bit too forgiving.

It's a shame, because I think that's a real nice card. It's worth sending in because I think Yogi's cards are experiencing a bit of a bump with his recent passing. The eye appeal will beat out the technical grade, and might sell like a 4.

Let us know what you decide to do with it.