Then, I figured out what to do to make everything organized and orderly.
First, I beg you to read the entire thing before condemning me to card collector hell.
Like I said, I need uniformity and order to calm my nerves. What better way to do this than to have my PC cards graded? I don't care about the grade - it's the slab I'm looking for. This orders everything, puts every card in its own encapsulation and gives the card information at the top. Everything I need to satisfy my OCD tendencies is right there.
I know many of you hate graded cards. I even came across an article from Fuji earlier this year in my search for grading information condemning Beckett Grading Services for their "Collector's Club" grading scale (it's ridiculous).
But, for me, the idea gives me comfort. I know some of you love the feel of a card and being able to thumb through it. Me...not so much. I'm one of the people who wants everything to be in pristine condition* so that when I want to look at it 20 years from now, it looks brand new.
(*I blame this partially on my grandfather who, before he passed, collected coins. He would only add uncirculated coins to his collection, and I believe this wore off on me!)
I know that some of you would argue that I can purchase one-snaps for my cards rather than getting the cards graded. I thought this would be a plausible answer to my problem, as well. Unfortunately, I don't like them for some reason. I honestly can't put my finger on why I don't like them, I just know that I don't.
So, here I stand before you, begging your mercy and pleading with you not to kick me out of your card collecting fraternity for wanting graded cards. Please understand that it's an OCD thing for me!
I spent a pretty penny on a Beckett-graded '89 UD Griffey rookie. Slabbed cards certainly have their place.
ReplyDeleteI'm much more in favor of slabbing cardboard than comic books. And I have some nice graded cards in my collection, but it's not a big selling point for me. I will say depending on how many cards you're planning on getting grade it sounds like a large financial endevour. But to each their own man. Everybody's got their own collecting goals and ideas. I will say I've always been a little envious of some of the very disciplined collectors that their whole collection takes up two monster boxes and contains cherry picked gems. Seems I prescribe to the shotgun method of collecting. Which company were you planning on going through?
ReplyDeleteIt will definitely be pricey, but I'm only planning on doing it for my player collections. Sets would be stupid money. Haven't picked a service yet, still trying to work out the logistics.
DeleteThe whole time I was reading this, the song "Do What You Want" by Bad Religion was going on in my head. I would never do this, for a multitude of reasons, but… do what you want. Everything everybody does is weird to somebody.
ReplyDeletePlus, you're already initiated into the fraternity, there's no way out now, right?
Good point - the blood oath and sacrificial chicken kinda sealed the deal permanently I suppose.
DeleteYou get your cards slabbed and I'll continue to keep my autographed 1958 Koufax loose in a 5000-count box with my 1990 Donruss Brad Komminsk. To each his own. It's all good.
ReplyDeleteI'm not terribly fond of slabs, but that's because I'm not as picky about condition on the older stuff and I love to touch the vintage cardboard. Would I rather have a Pristine 1956 Jackie Robinson or a toasty one? Pristine of course, but then I'd be tempted to sell it. It's your collection, you do it your way. That's the beauty of this community.
ReplyDelete