O-Pee-Chee, shaggy edges and my dwindling sanity...

[irv]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

The whole purpose of grading is to rate the card as close to factory pristine condition as possible. OPC used a wire cut process which leads to "jagged edges". This is a feature of the card and taken into account. A smooth edge opc would be altered as thats not how they come from factory and pulled from packs.

I always believed the same but Samosa explained it in the Hockey thread. The machine was actually called a slitter machine, I believe?

This was discussed in this podcast that he also posted. In OPC's haste to get cards to market to keep up with demand, the blades weren't always sharpened as often as they should have been.
I don't remember where this is talked about in this long video/podcast but it is and pics of it are also shown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apwx...portsCardsLive

[steve B]

What Maniac and Irv said.

With edges etc, it's more about them being "as manufactured" OPC just didn't do smooth cuts. That's as much a product of the cardstock used as it is the slitter knives.

To not accept that rough factory edge would be odd. Sort of like downgrading a 51 Topps for having round corners and perforations.

Now if the typical factory edge was perfect, then a rough one could be seen as a manufacturing flaw and graded lower.

[YazFenway08]

as always, I appreciate all the comments. I had not been thinking in terms of accepted factory pre-conditions with the o-pee-chee cards. And it explains a lot of the variability I am seeing with the cards and their respective gradings

and in answer to one of the posts...I do like the cards with the imperfections and all...I just wanted to make sure that if I decided to pay a premium for a graded one, I should better understand the dynamic. I had already become more comfortable with paste on the back of venezuelans and staining on same candy issues....now I understand o-pee chee better

[maniac_73]

Originally Posted by irv

I always believed the same but Samosa explained it in the Hockey thread. The machine was actually called a slitter machine, I believe?

This was discussed in this podcast that he also posted. In OPC's haste to get cards to market to keep up with demand, the blades weren't always sharpened as often as they should have been.
I don't remember where this is talked about in this long video/podcast but it is and pics of it are also shown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apwx...portsCardsLive

Interesting, gotta check out that podcast thanks!

[JustinD]

I love opc, growing up in Michigan it was awesome when we would take a vacation to Toronto and I could come back with that coveted trade material.

I still value high grade opc at well over listed value due to it not existing, rough cut or not. I have several 10s in my Parrish collection that are or were the only in existence at one time and cost well less than Topps that had many multiples more. If you are planning on that route, my only advice is this; buy it when you see it because you won’t again and be prepared to really wait between finds.

[maniac_73]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I love opc, growing up in Michigan it was awesome when we would take a vacation to Toronto and I could come back with that coveted trade material.

I still value high grade opc at well over listed value due to it not existing, rough cut or not. I have several 10s in my Parrish collection that are or were the only in existence at one time and cost well less than Topps that had many multiples more. If you are planning on that route, my only advice is this; buy it when you see it because you won’t again and be prepared to really wait between finds.

Its funny because growing up in Canada I was always annoyed that we could only get OPC as I knew the name Topps lol

[gustomania]

Love OPC and shaggy edges, just love that about OPC

[irv]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

Interesting, gotta check out that podcast thanks!

You're welcome.

They start talking about it right before the 15 minute mark, maybe a bit before as someone asks questions about it.

[glynparson]

Rough cuts are not downgraded on regular topps cards either. This statement is not accurate. You may pass on them but it’s not downgraded by either PSA or sgc. In fact I wouldn’t buy most opc issues with a smooth cut as they would be non factory cuts in most cases. A grader must take into account how a card was produced. It is why a post cereal card can be hand cut and still get. A numerical grade but a topps regular issue card can not be.