What Percentage of Vintage Cards Have Been Graded?

[OldOriole]

Patrick that was a great, well-thought-out post.

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. It certainly makes sense that more valuable cards (major HOFers, rare printings, high condition cards) would be graded at a higher rate for many sets.

There are a finite number of these vintage cards left to be graded. Is this why we sometimes see TPG companies targeting newer cards with higher distributions or are there still so many ungraded vintage cards that the supply will not dry up for the graders in the foreseeable future?

Reading through the posts again, I do wonder how many barn and attic finds are still left out there. Impossible to know, but can't wait for the next one!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by OldOriole

Patrick that was a great, well-thought-out post.

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. It certainly makes sense that more valuable cards (major HOFers, rare printings, high condition cards) would be graded at a higher rate for many sets.

There are a finite number of these vintage cards left to be graded. Is this why we sometimes see TPG companies targeting newer cards with higher distributions or are there still so many ungraded vintage cards that the supply will not dry up for the graders in the foreseeable future?

Reading through the posts again, I do wonder how many barn and attic finds are still left out there. Impossible to know, but can't wait for the next one!

“....a finite number of vintage cards left to be graded....” is perhaps true, but the insurance policy the TPGs have is the finite number of collectors who crack graded cards out of their “tombs” as soon as they receive them, and the crossover artists who change the slabs of a given card, and the bumpaholics who think a card is undergraded and crack it out for resubmission.

Certainly the TPGs are not worried in the least about only a finite number of vintage cards left to be graded, for they are more than happy to grade the same card over and over and over again.

In the auction game, “shill” bidders are the poison. In the TPG game, “shill” crackers are a gift that keeps on giving for the slabbers.

[BuzzD]

I must qualify as old-timey type. I have a handful of PW graded cards purchased but never submitted anything. I guess would rather spend the money on buying some cool obscure NYY card than grade everything. A 20% estimate on graded material feels high but may be good estimate amongst our small market of active collectors

[Leon]

Overall pre-war graded is about 15.5% . I still believe the great majority is not slabbed.

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[Touch'EmAll]

Little twist - How much percentage of investment type pre-war cards have been graded? Y'know, the T206 HOFers in PSA 5 or better? HOF Cracker Jacks, Goudey HOFers in PSA 5/6 or better, early Dimaggio and Ted Williams' in nice condition, 1920's semi odd ball Ruth's and Gehrigs. etc. ?

[irv]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

Little twist - How much percentage of investment type pre-war cards have been graded? Y'know, the T206 HOFers in PSA 5 or better? HOF Cracker Jacks, Goudey HOFers in PSA 5/6 or better, early Dimaggio and Ted Williams' in nice condition, 1920's semi odd ball Ruth's and Gehrigs. etc. ?

Although I don't have my high value cards graded. (I know I should, maybe?) I believe that number is definitely higher.

The only graded cards I own were purchased but I know if I lived Stateside, I would definitely have my Mick, Mays, Robinson and likely all of my high numbers graded by now.

[2dueces]

Less than 10%. We have no idea how many treasure or old time hoarders never heard of a graded card. Just recently a hoarder, collector was uncovered with countless ungraded cards. They might not have been pre war but still new to the market find. No telling how many T206's (maybe millions) are still out there.