“To grade, or not to grade..."

[JollyElm]

"...that is the question.”

I'm getting ready to send a group of cards off to SGC, so (WOO HOO!!!) I can film yet another highly entertaining* 'Blind Reveal' video. That's the set up, so...


These cards are really great, right?
Spoiler alert: Nope, you're completely wrong, you foolish men!!

1959mays1973clementeFRONTS.jpg


Sure, the fronts look semi-delicious, but when they are flipped over, you realize the Clemente is obviously a literal hair away from being truly miscut, and the Mays spent his cardboard youth pasted in some sort of album or scrapbook...as the latent yellowish lines/areas will attest.

1959mays1973clementeBACKS.jpg


Here's a very high contrast version of the pic to really highlight the 'sticky' (get it?) situation...

1959mays1973clementeBACKShighcontrast.jpg


My only motivation for grading is frickin' value (funny how almost no one ever acknowledges that simple fact).

So, is it just a waste of time getting these guys graded? I'm not looking to sell them, but just want some 'eventual worth' here.

Mays cards have definitely been climbing higher and higher, but if this card is only a max of a 2 or 3 (or probably lower??), is it a waste of $15 plus shipping, etc., (I'm cheap) when I'm happy just to leave him and Roberto in their toploaders?

What is possibly the best grade either (I pronounce it "ee-ther") of them could get??

All non-harsh opinions are welcomed.




*To me and my girlfriend alone, and probably no one else.

[MikeGarcia]

..Just check the box for " Grade Front Only" ; fee is cut in half.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

..Just check the box for " Grade Front Only" ; fee is cut in half.

Now, that's funny!!!!!!

[Beercan collector]

I wouldn’t mess with grading them I think you could get a fair price from a set builder - perfect for someone building sets in the excellent or so grade and they can still be inserted in the sheets

[jchcollins]

I will openly admit valuation as one of the main reasons for certain cards. If I have a card that's likely worth $300+ raw, and I get it graded and it's suddenly worth at least $475? Well yeah, that's a no-brainer. Also, I like the idea of cards like that being easier to move for my family should I suddenly no longer be here one day.

But for the rest, and easily enough done with SGC's current fee structure - I would admit that sometimes it's just fun to sub cards and see what they get. Will I be high, will I be low? Which ones will I get surprised on?

Late last year SGC sent me back a '67 Carew RC that I had been expecting a 3 or 3.5 on in a 5 slab. Huh? Yeah, I'll take that W. I had not been planning to sell the card, but did after it's new "valuation". Just in case you are curious, no - that's not how grading returns with me and SGC normally work...

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

But for the rest, and easily enough done with SGC's current fee structure - I would admit that sometimes it's just fun to sub cards and see what they get. Will I be high, will I be low? Which ones will I get surprised on?

Agree 100%!!
The reason I originally wrote, "My only motivation for grading is frickin' value" was more or less just cutting to the chase, because in these types of threads people inevitably want to know what the end plan is. But like you said, it's fun as hell doing the surprise 'flip overs' to see what grades you got.
Unfortunately, I've never ended up being happily Carewed like you...only mightily Scarewed to the wall!!!!!

[raulus]

I'm going to pull a number out of my hat and wildly guess with those backs that your highest possible grade is probably going to be a 4. But it could drift as low as a 2.0 or even 1.5, just because they get extra fussy about these types of issues sometimes. Also looks like there might be some surface wear or scratches on the front of Willie, which won't help.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Unfortunately, I've never ended up being happily Carewed like you...only mightily Scarewed to the wall!!!!!

Always appreciate your way with words, Jolly.

[chalupacollects]

I think a 4 on both...