General Forum

So let me start by saying I don't care. The card is what it is, not what some company says it is. But I've been more interested in truly vintage cards lately, T205s from 1911 to be specific, and they're harder to find ungraded. As I've been looking, it seems pretty clear to me that, despite all the verbiage that says age doesn't matter in grading, the cards are generally graded about a grade higher than a modern card in the same condition would be. There's no way a card from 2014 or 1984 is going to get a 5 with rounded corners and chipped sides. But 1911 cards seem to routinely. 

Again, I truly don't care. I now own exactly two graded cards--a 1959 Koufax and a 1911 Evers. I can't quite bring myself to free them. The only other two graded cards I have ever purchased, I broke out of their cases.

Anyone have opinions about old card grade inflation?

V3

Believe it or not, I've seen some very, very convincing reprints that people have made to look legitimately old. Grading not only protects these relics of over 100 years, but it shows that the card is authentic. I personally won't by a pre-WW2 era card unless it's graded, but that's just me.

Not inflated...adjusted.  Vintage grading takes into consideration technology and materials of the time.  Lower quality cardboard wears, frays, and damages easier.  Lower quality inks that fade and wear easier, quicker.  Poorer quality photo printing technology.  Less accurate printing  and cutting processes.

 Right, C2. All of which I totally accept as reasonable. But all the grading guides should then acknowledge this fact. Don't tell me age is irrelevant and the grade is the grade; an 8's an 8, no matter what. Tell me that, for some very old cards, graders will take all these factors into account and give a grade comparable to other cards of the same era. That's all I'm saying. 

V3

Gotcha

C2C is right, and I agree with you Vvvergeer.  The age of the card definitely affects the grading criteria, and it would be nice if the companies would acknowledge that fact. 

I have a card representing a local college (Whitman College) from 1912, it is in excellent condition for any age card let alone one that old.  If it was a brand new card, it would probably be graded between 8 and 8.5, but with it being a card from 1912, I'm sure it would pull at least a 9 if I were to get it graded.