Newbie seeking advice on evaluating auction

[DJCollector1]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Ultimately you are the only one who can decide which flaws you are comfortable with.

Before I purchased my 1.5 6 years ago, I asked several people about the copy I did end up with and everyone said to pass on it. My copy is decently centered with relatively even borders, some minimal light creasing, and has strong corners. Its main flaw is what I'll call light surface wear from honest handling on the front, including some on the cap. For me, the centering, the minimal creasing and the lack of corner wear sold me. I honestly did not consider how the light surface wear would figure in a re-sell time.

Bottom line is I was content with this main flaw (or lack of certain flaws) the card had and moved forward with buying it. If you are comfortable with this card, move forward with it.

Ultimately you are the only one who can decide which flaws you are comfortable with.

I agree with the points Larry makes here, especially the above in bold.
Some people are centering OCD (I am to a certain extent), others want perfect clarity, coloring.... registration . Very strong,crisp corners are key for others.

Personally, I tend to gravitate towards cards that have what I call "overall appeal". I like perfect centering, but I can overlook a card thats slightly off center, if it has other aspects that help the overall look of the card. I'll gladly take a card, that has 4 great corners, a very clear image, bold colors......and with these other factors apparent, I can "forgive" if its a tad off in the centering department.
Let's be fair, back in the 50's/60's , a card that would equate to a "PSA 10" or virtually perfect (if you want to call it that)............... they just didn't roll off the presses perfectly in large amounts so to speak. Sure there are some very fine examples, but those are extremely rare.

I often ask myself, when I look at a card, say a PSA 7 of any older card..... I often ask myself "Would you be happy if you opened a pack, and the card came right out of the pack into your hands in this condition?"

For example - Here is a 1962 Roberto Clemente on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/29452211065...3ABFBM4MOqy-hf

The above card looks great in my opinion. Yes, it does have its faults.....(the while line across the top, a couple areas of very slight chipping, what appears to be slight stains on the back, centering issues on the front AND back.)
However, if I was a kid and a Clemente fan, I would be absolutely thrilled to have opened that pack and pulled that card in question. I'd be proud to own it now too.

We all have our likes/dislikes, and threshold of whats "acceptable" in our collections, and what isn't.
But as Larry said, its all in what you are personally comfortable with.

On that note, Larry (savedfrommyspokes) if you don't mind, please post a picture of your '52 Topps Mantle. I doubt I have seen it, but I would love to have a look at it.
(feel free to PM a picture of it, if you'd rather not post it here)