Let's Play a Fun Game! When X really means Y

[jchcollins]

For those that don't deal full-time in cards, "Rare" I have found increasingly just means "old." Hey look at this "rare" 1953 Topps common in VG condition...

[packs]

"Is this a new variation" means "help me sell my crappy card"

[mechanicalman]

"CENTERED" = "well, not technically centered, per se, but not at least not terribly off-centered."

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

"CENTERED" = "well, not technically centered, per se, but not at least not terribly off-centered."

You beat me to the punch on this one - yes. "Centered" - uh, 60/40-ish?

[cardsnstuff]

"PQ OR HE" = Get ready to pay up considerably

[JollyElm]

Ha ha!! In looking at 1962 cards last night, I found a seller whose 'X' actually means 'X.' Virtually all of his listings have the card name/number/player/grade followed by the brief disclaimer, "Pics show my reflection."

If it's a marketing move, it's brilliant. Like looking for "Nina" in Hirschfeld drawings, he made me check out each of his auctions to see if I could find him in the photos!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

You beat me to the punch on this one - yes. "Centered" - uh, 60/40-ish?

As a centering nut I can safely say 95%, or more, of cards that are listed as centered, aren't. They might have decent centering but most aren't very close to centered. This one is close but it too is not centered.

[tschock]

This very unique card is also well centered.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Leon

As a centering nut I can safely say 95%, or more, of cards that are listed as centered, aren't. They might have decent centering but most aren't very close to centered. This one is close but it too is not centered.

I feel you, Leon. I used to be a centering nut - around 15-ish years ago when even though I approached the hobby more with the mindset of a collector, I sold enough cards to be a dealer. I got to the point where I realized I had more issues with my cards (even nice, high-grade Hall of Famers) that I spent time fretting about than I did actually enjoying them.

Centering played a large part in this. I eventually had to give up my ways and go back to the mid-grade and often off-centered cards I had as a kid. I know it doesn't work for everyone, and if you have the means to do nothing but high grade that meets your requirements, then I would certainly encourage it - but I'm a much happier collector now just being pleased with the eye appeal of a card and not always worring about the minutia. I still ocassionally fall into my old traps - and let's be honest who does not love a really cherry, highly-graded vintage card - but on the whole I just found that to be kinda stressful.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Leon

As a centering nut I can safely say 95%, or more, of cards that are listed as centered, aren't. They might have decent centering but most aren't very close to centered. This one is close but it too is not centered.

Especially the back!

[nebboy]

"You be the judge"

Means I'm hoping your wearing you wife's readers that are 2X less than your own and you can't see the mark I erased in the back.