Do creases still bother collectors as much

[itjclarke]

Personally, I'd choose a nice, sharp cornered, clean image card that's OC over a perfectly centered one with a crease. I also remember creases as the "kiss of death" when collecting as a kid, and know all my friends who collected back then felt similar.

I think that it was very different then though, when we actually handled ALL our cards raw. You could see the creases more easily and often feel them, as well as feel how different dinged corners felt than razor sharp. Now most available/for sale high value cards are graded, and I think the premium on flaws that stood out more on a raw card (creases, fuzzy corners or edges, indentations, etc) are less noticeable to collectors who may never even touch the card (I own many I'll likely never touch).

Though it seems centering has probably always been appreciated, I think it's premium is in part driven recently by the fact these cards will forever be framed in a TPG holder. I think this draws more attention to the card's framing, and the fact the card will never be handled, minimizes the negative impact of crease/wrinkles, etc.

[bobsbbcards]

No creases for me please. I've also sold off nicely centered out of focus PSA 9's and kept a slightly off-center PSA 8 (1967 Topps #1 for instance)--out of focus is worse than a crease, although both are deal breakers.

I don't mind a non-Q centering issue--they came out of packs that way, so that's good enough for me. I've recently added a MC 1948 Leaf to my collection that is gorgeous except for the MC thingy. I couldn't have sprung for a PSA 8 of the card or even a 7, so a PSA 8MC is the best I can do. I'll find the link to the auction in a second.

[bobsbbcards]

Found it:

[MCoxon]

Thanks for responses so far. the poll as of now shows:

70% PSA 4, with spider wrinkle
5% PSA 6, off registration
25% PSA 7, off-centered

A good distinction has been made between people considering PSA 4 cards for really high-end and/or scarce cards, where allowances are more likely for creases/wrinkles - "you take what you can get", versus if a card is plentiful and relatively affordable, many collectors would still prefer a card without a crease.

Also, definitely a crease through a face is far worse than a spider wrinkle on a border or away from the portrait area of the card.

[irv]

Originally Posted by jb67

With the way prices are going I think a small wrinkle/crease (as long as it still has eye-appeal) will become more accepted. Personally I am ok with a small crease or spidering if the card still has good eye-appeal. My Aaron rookie as an example. The tiny crease on the left side almost half-way down is hardly noticed and some denting on the bottom corners does not take away from the eye-appeal to me. I'm sure those flaws might really bother some collectors but with the way HOF rookie cards are exploding in price I think collectors will be willing to live with the imperfections of a crease.

Originally Posted by MCoxon

Thanks for responses so far. the poll as of now shows:

70% PSA 4, with spider wrinkle
5% PSA 6, off registration
25% PSA 7, off-centered

A good distinction has been made between people considering PSA 4 cards for really high-end and/or scarce cards, where allowances are more likely for creases/wrinkles - "you take what you can get", versus if a card is plentiful and relatively affordable, many collectors would still prefer a card without a crease.

Also, definitely a crease through a face is far worse than a spider wrinkle on a border or away from the portrait area of the card.

Case in point above.

Who wouldn't accept that card if they were looking unless they had way more money than most of us and could wait for a better copy.

[irv]

48 bids so far on this OC Mays.

I would assume, if it didn't have the OC qualifier, this would be an 8?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-2...AAAOSw8vZXNefB

[Jdoggs]

Originally Posted by irv

48 bids so far on this OC Mays.

I would assume, if it didn't have the OC qualifier, this would be an 8?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-2...AAAOSw8vZXNefB

Strong price sold for $9.2k.

[the 'stache]

I'd prefer my cards not have any creases, of course, but some of the cards I want will be cost prohibitive without some very minor flaws. Such is life. If I'm going to have a crease, I prefer it not rear its ugly head in the picture's focal point. A little, nearly indiscernible crease in the lower left corner of a '54 Topps Hank Aaron is ok with me. That same crease in the middle of Hank's face...that would be a deal killer.