Centering

[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

[alanu]

With vintage cards I don't really pay too much attention to centering, but would obviously prefer a well centered card.

With newer cards I like to get the best centering possible, there was a time I was obsessed with finding a "perfectly" centered 1957 Ernie Banks in EX or better.

-Alan

[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

[steve B]

Yes, centering and registration matter quite a bit to me. The worse it is the better I like it!

Ok, probably not everyones thing, but I like them. Started when I got the Holtzman out of a pack. So far off center and from the edge of the sheet it's about 1/4 inch short. The 75 isn't factory, I was really disappointed when the uy I got it from confessed he'd cut a damaged sheet into nice condition blocks and "salvaged" a couple from the debris. Still interesting as a conversation piece.

I do also like really well centered and registered cards too, it's all the average ones that are a bit dull.

Steve B

[ls7plus]

I think Leon really hit the nail on the head, with some very impressive illustrations--I second the "WOW," nice cards, re the Matty and Thorpe especially!!!

Larry