1951 Bowman Willie Mays Paper Loss

[oldeboo]

Certainly no expert, but I have a lot of opinions!

First off, looks like a pretty nice card. The corners appear to be typical wear on a 70 year old card to me(unless I'm missing something). Of course the magnification helps to identify some issues that aren't as noticeable to the naked eye. The centering seems to be decent enough. The main distracting feature for me would be all of those surface scratches over the face area and the print flaw over his name. At least it doesn't have those gnarly print lines a lot of the '51 Bowmans have.

Overall, based on what I can see, I'd call that a 3. I'm certainly no professional grader though. If you get a grader that just had lunch, the weather is nice, home life is going good, maybe it's a 4. Going through a divorce, dog just died...well never mind you'll probably need to do a resubmit

If you truly aren't happy with the card and feel it was misrepresented, nothing wrong with bringing it up to the seller, especially on a card like this. If you put any card under a microscope you'll find issues though, especially 70 year old ones. Just gotta figure out if the price you paid is worth what you're seeing I suppose.

[bobbyw8469]

That card isn't going to '4'. I think you hit it right on the head with the '3' assessment.

[NiceDocter]

I see nothing I’d call paper loss just some corner wear....nicely centered and a well focused image. It’s a 3 and unless you want to pay silly money for a better one I think it’s a keeper!!!

[glynparson]

Card s probably Vg but corner wear that results in what you are referring to as paper loss and what people usually are referring to when they say paper loss aren’t exactly the same thing. This is just considered corner wear. Card appears VG in picture. If what I think of as paper loss were present it would be fair at best.

[samosa4u]

I agree. That is not paper-loss!

This card will grade either a PSA 2.5 or a 3 or a 3.5 or maybe even a 4.

I have a PSA 4 that has TWO creases!

Good luck

[Yankees1964]

I am no expert and always guess wrong on my grades but that is a 3 I think. No paper loss just corner wear. If the back looks like the front you are good I think.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Yankees1964

I am no expert and always guess wrong on my grades but that is a 3 I think. No paper loss just corner wear. If the back looks like the front you are good I think.

Yep....he is good....unless he paid '4' or '5' price for it. But the way that card has appreciated, even if you overpaid, just hold it for a year or so.

[riggs336]

I agree it looks like a 3. But the way my grades have been coming back, don't be surprised if it pulls a 2. Good luck.