Graded "A"....for "AFFORDABILITY"....a different viewpoint on collecting graded cards

[Luke]

I totally agree. I think "A" grades are a great value because so many people seem to shun them. I don't specifically target "A" grades, but I do have a number of them in my collection. I mainly look for lower grades with nice eye appeal, and I like a sharp looking trimmed card more than a creased card with full borders.

I also like hand-cut and scrap cards, which always get the "A". It's also really cool (although rare) to find a card graded an "A" that is actually factory-cut, like your Jennings above. That's an incredible card by the way.

Some of my favorite "A"s:

[oldjudge]

Depends on the reason the card got the A. My preference is to stay away from trimmed or recolored cards. Sometimes with Old Judges you can't avoid rebacking since some cards were originally skinned to mount them in scrap books. That I can live with if there is no other choice. So in answer to the original question I would not do the swaps you are doing.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Depends on the reason the card got the A. My preference is to stay away from trimmed or recolored cards. Sometimes with Old Judges you can't avoid rebacking since some cards were originally skinned to mount them in scrap books. That I can live with if there is no other choice. So in answer to the original question I would not do the swaps you are doing.

Hey Jay

The graded cards I had of these cards in Post #1 here were acquired many, many moons ago (at very inexpensive prices). And, they were sold for quite a good profit.
As, I have stated before....I'm not a fan of graded cards. But, that is how the "game" is played nowadays. Therefore, I go with the flow.
In my opinion, card grading can be arbitrary at best. Take for example my AB 460 Jennings card story in Post #21. Or, consider the Gretzky Wagner (PSA 8).....while
its "sheet-mate" (Charlie Conlon's PIEDMONT 150 Plank) was graded an "A". There is something very wrong with this picture.

So Jay, I appreciate your opinion. However this is one of our rare occasions where I have to disagree with you.

Anyhow, my Grandson Ron will ultimately inherit my collection. Ron knows more about BB and BB cards than most guys his young age.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Sean]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Anyhow, my Grandson Ron will ultimately inherit my collection.

delete

[steve B]

"A" cards can be pretty good bargains.

I'm not really big on trimmed cards, or cards that are altered, but like anyone who buys nice looking ungraded cards a few end up with me. A couple of the T206s look really nice even knowing they're trimmed.

One thing to keep in mind is what the grading company will give an A grade for. I'm not familiar with any besides SGC, so this is mostly about them.

They use "A" fairly broadly, meaning that in addition to altered cards, I think any card that is genuine but for a variety of reasons shouldn't get a number grade will get an "A" grade. Considering the perceptions of the average collector that's probably a good idea.
When I sent cards in I always requested not getting an "A". That got me a bit of a bonus in info.
While this card got a grade, it could have gotten an A. It's nice, but is nearly as narrow as some ABs. It's as narrow by about as much as another card in the same batch was short. this one got a 40 (it also has a pretty big paper inclusion which probably brought it down some. ) The other got rejected for "min size" and would have been an "A" even though it's completely factory but undersize.


This one as you can see was rejected for the top and bottom having very rough cuts. Also not trimmed, but it would have also received an "A"



Teds Jennings is an even better example. Somewhere along the line they changed the required specs so that the ABs weren't knocked down for being narrow. (Or simply retrained someone)
Years later the card gets regarded more appropriately.

So if you keep a sharp eye on SGC cards graded "A" you might just find a few cards that are a bit better than the grade.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Anyhow, my Grandson Ron will ultimately inherit my collection.

I imagine there are a few on here who are considering legally changing their name to 'Grandson Ron'.

Brian (I guess I will stick with my name for now)

[tedzan]

I started my 2nd E90-1 set a number of years ago by acquiring these two gems for a very reasonable price.


. .



TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Tyler]

Here are a few "A"s that I enjoy...

[rats60]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Anyhow, my Grandson Ron will ultimately inherit my collection. Ron knows more about BB and BB cards than most guys his young age.






TED Z

T206 Reference
.

It is great that you have someone to pass your collection to that will appreciate and cherish them.