How Much More Will You Pay For Great Centering?

[ZiggerZagger]

The '52 Mays example made me laugh. It's tough. So tough that even after I finally found one centered, I couldn't pass up a nicer raw second one I found, just because it was centered

And I'm not an impartial party here -- when I started really collecting vintage about 10 years ago, I made my primary focus on centering, so that's how my collection has been built.
It's right for me -- as long as the eye appeal is good as well. I can handle a soft corner, no problem...

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[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Originally Posted by ZiggerZagger

The '52 Mays example made me laugh. It's tough. So tough that even after I finally found one centered, I couldn't pass up a nicer raw second one I found, just because it was centered

And I'm not an impartial party here -- when I started really collecting vintage about 10 years ago, I made my primary focus on centering, so that's how my collection has been built.
It's right for me -- as long as the eye appeal is good as well. I can handle a soft corner, no problem...

Haha....so that’s why I couldn’t find a centered mid-grade 52 Bowman Mays....because you are hoarding them

[hcv123]

Centering is definitely one of the top of the list qualities for me - I think the only thing that would be more important is actual front or back damage (including creases). When I saw this thread I started contemplating why - what I came up with is for my eye the centering has a HUGE impact on the eye appeal of the card - an off center card pulls my eye immediately to the defect - a well centered card allows my eye to focus on the image - for me - soft corners all day long over an off center image.
As far as premium as has been mentioned it is card specific - for a rarity - condition is virtually out the window, centering or otherwise.
For a card that is more available but hard to find centered - ususally willing to cough up a 10-15% premium.

[Phil68]

Centering, image quality/registration and strong ink are my big 3. Centering is absolutely mandatory for me. I won't even consider purchasing a card--regardless of price or scarcity that is visually off center. If a card sells for 1000.00 in NM-MT I'll pay 50% premium or more to go from 60/40 to nearly spot on.

[bbcard1]

I used to have a business partner who was a freak about corners but didn't care about centering. I like reasonable centering but care less about corners. As for me, I don't buy things that I plan to resell that are not well centered. I am happy to let commons slide now and then.

Also, I am more tolerant of moderate left to right centering issues but don't like top to bottom centering issues.

[Phil68]

[QUOTE=bbcard1;2006079]I used to have a business partner who was a freak about corners but didn't care about centering. I like reasonable centering but care less about corners. As for me, I don't buy things that I plan to resell that are not well centered. I am happy to let commons slide now and then.

Also, I am more tolerant of moderate left to right centering issues but don't like top to bottom centering issues.[/QUOTE

I don't mind cards centered a bit low. I HATE cards centered high. Thin margin on top with a thick margin on the bottom is actually frustrating to me, Lol.

[Leon]

[QUOTE=Phil68;2006286]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I used to have a business partner who was a freak about corners but didn't care about centering. I like reasonable centering but care less about corners. As for me, I don't buy things that I plan to resell that are not well centered. I am happy to let commons slide now and then.

Also, I am more tolerant of moderate left to right centering issues but don't like top to bottom centering issues.[/QUOTE

I don't mind cards centered a bit low. I HATE cards centered high. Thin margin on top with a thick margin on the bottom is actually frustrating to me, Lol.

I am with you on the centering. I like big tops and average, or big, bottoms...