Eye Appeal - Creases, Color, Corners, etc

[DeanH3]

For low grade, centering first, then registration followed by corners. I try and avoid creases if possible. Depending on the card, creases are not a deal breaker. Since the centering is about equal on your two examples, I'd prefer the bottom one since it has less creasing.

Want to add that I also try and avoid major paper loss. Minor paper loss on the back is acceptable depending on severity and location.

[Casey2296]

I'm OCD about centering so that always comes first for me, colors and corners can be interchangeable depending on the card, for example, corners are least important on a card like an E224. Or that Cobb E98 that's currently for sale that has that white spot between his head and his glove. If I bought that card all I would do is stare at that white spot. I'll wait to buy until I can afford the card that clicks with me instead of buying a placeholder.

[swarmee]

I'd say the two cards you showed make it really easy to select the one without the heavy creasing. I'm usually a sucker for registration and colors first, but the misregistration on card #2 is very light to be almost unnoticeable. Two large creases through the image would make #1 very far behind the first one.

[skelly423]

These comments apply to cards where there is a decent selection available. While I still prefer cards that follow my criteria, I'll break every one of my rules for unique or exceptionally rare cards I can't find anywhere else.

For me centering is essential. I don't always require perfect 50-50, but if it's anything beyond 60-40 I'm moving on to something else.

Color and registration are right alongside centering in terms of priority, I can't stand blurry, out-of-focus images on cards and won't buy one with that problem. Give me a low grade with bright fresh colors over a higher technical grade with faded dull colors.

Creases are entirely dependent on where they are located. Out of the way corner creases are a non-issue, but I hate creases that run right through the image.

Corners barely matter to me at all. Unless you're dealing with mega money, soft or worn corners are a fact of life with pre-war cards. I prefer all 4 corners be worn evenly, but don't really care if one corner has taken a disproportionate amount of wear.

[Orioles1954]

Centering makes zero difference to me. I only concern myself with handling from collectors, not factory mishaps. Corner wear is not a big deal at all either. Excessive creasing, paper loss, writing are deal breakers. To each their own.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Centering makes zero difference to me. I only concern myself with handling from collectors, not factory mishaps. Corner wear is not a big deal at all either. Excessive creasing, paper loss, writing are deal breakers. To each their own.

It's awesome there are so many different views on what makes collectors tick.

It's centering for me but having all of the best characteristics is best. Another BST purchase.

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by Leon

It's awesome there are so many different views on what makes collectors tick.

It's centering for me but having all of the best characteristics is best. Another BST purchase.

Fantastic card Leon. I Couldn't agree more.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Leon

It's awesome there are so many different views on what makes collectors tick.

It's centering for me but having all of the best characteristics is best. Another BST purchase.

I can put up with some creasing in a well-centered and well-focused card.