Centering

[ls7plus]

One of the nicest things about this hobby--aside from all of the very knowledgable, helpful persons who are members here (you can all take a bow guys!)--is that you can collect what you like. Personally, I primarily collect stars and hall-of-famers, and agree that eye-appeal is very, very important. However, if you're after some really rare cards of key players, you may have to take what you can get, and upgrade later, when and if the opportunity presents itself. Again, it depends entirely upon what you like!
From time to time, I find myself pursuing "true" rookie cards of hall-of-famers, such as the 1947 Tip Top Bread Spahn, Kiner and Berra. It took me about ten years to find a Kiner offered alone, rather than in a large lot at auction. I almost passed on a poor example that had been written on several years ago, reconsidered, and went ahead and purchased the card. I have always been glad I did, since the only one I have seen offered alone since was another PSA 1, which wasn't really much better than my example! I also bought a Spahn graded PSA 1 MK after almost passing on it due to condition. Then I checked the PSA pop report and found that PSA had only graded six examples (which hasn't changed in quite awhile), with the highest being PSA 1! Another member of this board recently commented that the Spahn is the toughest star card to obtain from the set, as it is a short print in a set that is basically pretty rare itself.
Similarly, I recently purchased a 1956 Kahn's Frank Robinson, after passing on one with back damage more than a decade ago. Interestingly, the card I passed on (then offered by Larry Fritsch) may well have been the very same one that recently became available to me, as it also had some very minor back damage, but otherwise presented as EX+ (was probably glued in a scrapbook, which left the rest of the card pretty well preserved).
Centering is important, but if you're after a very rare example of a card you've been looking for quite awhile, I personally would buy first and look to possibly upgrade later!

[fkw]

As long as it has 4 borders I could care less about centering....

Leave the 80/20 cards for me, Im happy to pick them up for 1/3rd the price of 50/50

[ValKehl]

What Frank said + 1. What disturbes the most is paper loss, even if it only affects the advertising on the back. But sometimes, one has to take what one can get. I have a T214 WaJo with a beautiful front that has about 50% paper loss on the back - this really bugs me everytime I look at this card!
Val

[ChiefBenderForever]

With T206 and more available issues yes, but as others said a lot of times you take what you can get, would I like better centering on these, sure, am I ever gonna be able to have the chance, doubtful, and even if I did they probably wont have this fresh eye appeal and honestly it doesn't bother me at all, sometimes an octogon cut is good !

[teetwoohsix]

I don't mind too much about the cards being perfectly centered. Like the E92 Benders Johnny just showed look awesome to me just the way they are.

I don't like paper loss, or major creasing (a small, almost undetectable crease is ok on occasion).

Also agree sometimes you have to take what you can get.

Sincerely, Clayton

[Chris Counts]

I care so little for centering that I actually do searches for "OC' ...

[DanP]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

...
Centering is important, but if you're after a very rare example of a card you've been looking for quite awhile, I personally would buy first and look to possibly upgrade later!

I agree 100%. There are cards that I would buy no matter what the centering was like. I personally was referring to cards that you'd have a selection choice (i.e. 69T PSA8 Reggie Jackson).

Dan

[quinnsryche]

As long as it has some border on all sides it's all good. I hate creases, that's what stops me from buying cards that I would otherwise like to have in my collection. To each his own!

[Leon]

Centering is very important to me, the more common the card is that I am acquiring. If it is super scarce then I will take it off centered. If I can find one with better centering then it is very important. Since one of my focuses is on types that are rare, the centering doesn't matter as much. I hate moderate to major paper loss or creases through the face even more. For these, I could have cared less about centering...

[Orioles1954]

In a strange way, I actually like it when a card is a bit off-centered. It reminds me of the imperfections of factory printing presses and as long as a flaw is not caused by human hands, I'm OK with it. I'm a mid-grade guy myself. One or two creases is permissable and absolutely no paper loss is allowed.

[Touch'EmAll]

Wow, Leon - that Thorpe and Matty - never seen those before. Yes, for super rare items, an off centered card may be as good as you will ever find.

How tolerant you are on centering is also somewhat a factor of the typical grades you collect. If you are a PSA 2 thru 4 guy, then centering is probably less important to you. If you are a PSA 5 and up guy, centering becomes more important.

I would dearly like to acquire a 1948 Leaf Satchell Paige - has anyone ever, in their entire life, seen one centered approx 55/45 or better both directions? If so, I bet it went for some astronomical price.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

I would dearly like to acquire a 1948 Leaf Satchell Paige - has anyone ever, in their entire life, seen one centered approx 55/45 or better both directions? If so, I bet it went for some astronomical price.

I just received this in the mail today! Not Satchell, not centered, but I've been looking for a long time so I "took what I could get"!! I would have paid double to get this same grade card centered.

Dan

[DanP]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

I would dearly like to acquire a 1948 Leaf Satchell Paige - has anyone ever, in their entire life, seen one centered approx 55/45 or better both directions? If so, I bet it went for some astronomical price.

Take your pick... They're not centered, but not that bad either.

Dan