Is Alan Hager Still Alive?

[h2oya311]

Here is likely the only Hager graded DiMaggio Zeenut in existence. The slab is a historical masterpiece in its own right, let alone the card encased in the plastic tomb. ASA is the Hager slabbed material. While he was certainly generous with his grading (since most, if not all) were his cards, at least his material was authentic. No conflict of interest there, right?

[glynparson]

He was set up at the Long Beach coin show a year or so ago.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Here is likely the only Hager graded DiMaggio Zeenut in existence. The slab is a historical masterpiece in its own right, let alone the card wishing the plastic tomb. ASA is the Hager slabbed material.

I have a 1940 Red Ruffing with that slab and always wondered where it had come from. Quite an interesting sub hobby could be made out or accumulating cards that resided in the slabs of short-lived companies.

[1880nonsports]

I suppose that would be like the collectors that collect painting forgeries. It would be a buy the holder and not the card type of thing as your entombed card has a good chance of being altered or over-graded...........

[BeanTown]

Off topic a little, but your Zeenut example made me think. Why do all TPGs give a numerical grade to zeenuts when the coupon has been torn/ripped? They are should get AUTHENTIC. You can buy a zeenut with coupon (50x rarer) in a 1 holder, crack it out, cut out the coupon off and get it bumped to a higher grade.

[36GoudeyMan]

Don't forget his foray into the world of collectible Beanie Babies, with the specialized label tombs!! A true descent into madness.....

[ValKehl]

I acquired this WaJo card roughly 25 years ago. Altered? Accurately graded? It's the only ACCUGRADE card I have ever owned.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

7 NM is kinda funny, but still an awesome card.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by beantown

off topic a little, but your zeenut example made me think. Why do all tpgs give a numerical grade to zeenuts when the coupon has been torn/ripped? They are should get authentic. You can buy a zeenut with coupon (50x rarer) in a 1 holder, crack it out, cut out the coupon off and get it bumped to a higher grade.

i-n-c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-c-y

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by BeanTown

Off topic a little, but your Zeenut example made me think. Why do all TPGs give a numerical grade to zeenuts when the coupon has been torn/ripped? They are should get AUTHENTIC. You can buy a zeenut with coupon (50x rarer) in a 1 holder, crack it out, cut out the coupon off and get it bumped to a higher grade.

A) because they were made to be torn. Much like early topps finest cards that have been peeled are still graded. Apples to oranges but in the same vein.

B) much of it has to do with the history of the issue and “tossing coups” is probably the greatest historical story of any baseball card issue. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend the Zeenut History and guide book.

C) I can’t think of any instance where a zeenut a grade or two higher without a coupon would outsell a copy with the coupon so people don’t really have a financial stake in doing so.

But yeah if you want to provide a lazy answer then “inconsistency” works fine as well.

[Yoda]

I think Hager's grading company ASA actually preceded PSA by a short bit.

I recall one heated discussion with him at a show where he claimed that a E96 Lajoie blank backed Lajoie was a proof when it was a notebook cover piece. I think Dennis Purdy referred to him as "a Buffalo Hunter in the Wild West". Apt description.

[slidekellyslide]

I was among a group of coin collectors he threatened to sue on the usenet coin collecting forum back in the late 90s, maybe early 2000s. He did end up suing a few guys on there but if IIRC he lost. His wife was just as horrible as he was. Miserable people.