Newbie Help - Authentic?

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Normal cardboard stock for the card, not too thick, not too thin, but dense, no light coming through when held up to a lamp

Again, this is where experience is almost essential. Different vintage cards can have vastly different cardboard stock. A 1956 Topps card, for example - is going to feel nothing like a 1970 Topps card in terms of thickness. The 70's are much thinner. I think the general rule is that Topps used crappier cardboard stock as 50's became the 60's, and then the problem got even worse as the 60's became the 70's. But there are differences within decades as well. 1958 Topps cards are generally slightly thicker than 1955 Topps cards. It takes handling of the cards over time to get familiar with things like that.

[Mbjerry]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Again, this is where experience is almost essential. Different vintage cards can have vastly different cardboard stock. A 1956 Topps card, for example - is going to feel nothing like a 1970 Topps card in terms of thickness. The 70's are much thinner. I think the general rule is that Topps used crappier cardboard stock as 50's became the 60's, and then the problem got even worse as the 60's became the 70's. But there are differences within decades as well. 1958 Topps cards are generally slightly thicker than 1955 Topps cards. It takes handling of the cards over time to get familiar with things like that.

Thank you. That is a good idea to get a few small lots from some of the years to get an idea. My only option to get some of the cards that I want is raw. Can't afford them graded. Guess I will learn over time. I don't spend more than about $200 on a card so at least my mistakes won't be big ones.

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[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Again, this is where experience is almost essential. Different vintage cards can have vastly different cardboard stock. A 1956 Topps card, for example - is going to feel nothing like a 1970 Topps card in terms of thickness. The 70's are much thinner. I think the general rule is that Topps used crappier cardboard stock as 50's became the 60's, and then the problem got even worse as the 60's became the 70's. But there are differences within decades as well. 1958 Topps cards are generally slightly thicker than 1955 Topps cards. It takes handling of the cards over time to get familiar with things like that.

Totally agree with this. I will add that, as a 70's set collector, it gets even more convoluted because the 1973 and 1977 sets are on really bad cardstock that makes the edges chip easily. Those years feel totally different that the years immediately preceding and following each. I love the 70's cards, but there are definitely many quirks to deal with.

[hcv123]

I can't call it either way from those pics. I have seen more fakes surfacing (mostly at shows) recently. If the seller has little or no reputation for selling vintage - be VERY careful! The suggestion of familiarizing yourself by handling bunches of od commons is a great one.

[Mbjerry]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I can't call it either way from those pics. I have seen more fakes surfacing (mostly at shows) recently. If the seller has little or no reputation for selling vintage - be VERY careful! The suggestion of familiarizing yourself by handling bunches of od commons is a great one.

Thanks. I bought the cards. Paid $290 for the pair so thought it was a pretty good deal. I have also bought a few raw commons from 58 and 59 to compare the Mays cards to.

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[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

Totally agree with this. I will add that, as a 70's set collector, it gets even more convoluted because the 1973 and 1977 sets are on really bad cardstock that makes the edges chip easily. Those years feel totally different that the years immediately preceding and following each. I love the 70's cards, but there are definitely many quirks to deal with.

I think '73 was the worst. If you look at those corners wrong they will chip and fray before your eyes. It's a shame, because there are some things I really love about the '73 set, but yeah - the cardstock is awful. And centering and cut problems were running at an all time high as well.