March 2017 BGS Submission Result Number THIRTY-THREE of FORTY-TWO - 2012 Topps Heritage Clayton Kershaw Base Autograph Now BGS Graded Gem Mint 9.5

Though there are higher priced cards still to show off this one is probably the biggest surprise as it earned an unexpected gem mint 9.5.

I love this design and its probably my favorite of all the Topps Heritage years. When I acquired this from on overseas blogger I thought it would come back as a 9 at best. Even though I would always prefer a 9.5 I was going to be happy with a 9. I didn't want to wait for find out its grade so I did a raw grade review and they slapped a 9.5 label on it. Very happy to see that and couldn't believe it. Of course I sent it in for the full slab treatment and not only did it come back as a gem mint it came back a strong one as it has 3 9.5 subs and a 10 as the cherry on top.

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin

Raw Card Review Recap Number Three From Submission Batch Done On Saturday March 6th, 2017 (2012 Topps Heritage Clayton Kershaw Autograph)

Of all the gem mint returns I received from the raw grade review portion of the BGS event this was the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the group. Glad I was wrong when I did my pre grading routine.

To this day I think the 2012 Heritage set is the best looking of the brand and I have/had wanted the Kershaw autograph from this set for years and when The Dutch Card Guy announced he was quitting the Kershaw portion of his collection I was all over this card. Quick transaction as always with him and I had my card in hand shortly. Once it arrived though I saw there was some fraying on the corners and though I was disappointed in it I believed it would at least earn a 9 but instead of just sending it straight to Dallas for grading I decided to give it the RCR treatment. Glad I did as you can see it earned a gold banner and I couldn't be happier.

I am expecting the sub grades to go 9.5, 9.5, 9.5 and then a 9 for corners. Do...not...care! All that matters is that the overall is a 9.5 and that sirs and madams is a good day in my eyes.

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin

Card of the Day - 2012 Topps Heritage : Clayton Kershaw Base Autograph

... and the final card that I received from The Dutch Card Guy and the only autograph of the group but one that I have been hunting for quite some time but now I have one that I can call my own.

With this card now in my collection I also have made the decision that all my Kershaw cards do NOT have to be in at least mint 9 condition from BGS as I will no longer sell them off if they come back from them with anything less than a 9. Of course though that doesn't mean I won't still get them slab as I will but just as authentic without a grade attached to it which will make them easier to store. I say all this because this card is borderline 8.5/9 as is but I knew going in it would be a miracle that this would be gem mint as the Heritage brand is notorious when it comes to condition and this bad boy has some chipping issues. I have wanted this card for years and what I will do is submit it to BGS for a RCR and see what it comes back as. If a 9 then it gets slabbed with a grade and if not then just a case.

I want to say thank you again to the DCG for a easy transaction and the great cards. If you haven't come across him in your blog reading take some time to check out his little corner of the world as he is a good guy.

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin

Card of the Day - 2012 Topps Heritage : Clayton Kershaw Real One Autograph Red Ink Variant (2/63)

Another day another limited Kershaw autograph for the collection and this time I got my hands on a red ink John Hancock for the fist time.

I have always loved these 2012 Heritage cards but I haven't been able to get one at a reasonable price whether it was the base or these red ink variants. With only a 63 print run they only come up for sale so often and usually go for a high price. That was not the case per se for this one. The card books for a low of $100 and a high of $200 and the seller who I have dealt with in the past posted this on a BIN auction with a best offer option and as soon as I saw it I sent over an offer. Woke up the next morning with a decline email in my inbox as the seller changed the auction to a BIN with no best offer option. Oh well.

I kept the card on my watch list and two days later he dropped the price to my original offer which was way below book and I promptly hit the BIN button and had the card in hand within a few days. The card appears to be in at least mint condition and I will put that to the test shortly when BGS comes back into town for a grading event. If doesn't grade out to at least a 9 this bad boy will see itself back on eBay which I am sure will sell for what I purchased it for it not a little more.

2 of 63

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin

Card of the Day - 2012 Topps Heritage : Sandy Koufax 63 Mint (Coin) PSA Graded Near Mint 8

Part 3 of four posts pertaining to my recent eBay trade.

All the cards are either Koufax or Kershaw and today we get to the one graded card of Koufax.

This particular card doesn't really fit into any part of my collection other than it being of Dodger great Sandy Koufax. I don't do PSA submissions and I have never owned a coin card but acquiring this unique card was a chance I wouldn't pass up.

This card originally sold for $30 on eBay but that really doesn't matter to me. If I ever do choose to sell it I would crack it open and sell it "raw" as I probably could clear at least $35 since book is give or take $50.

I love the look of this card with the old timey photo and the pastel colors. As I've said many times my collection of Koufax cards is minimal and adding another one is always a plus.

I could probably be talked out of this card on a trade so if it interests you feel free to contact me but till then I will enjoy it my collection. One more post coming up from my trade.

Near Mint 8

Better look at the coin.

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin