Breaking out

I have one or two graded cards that are still in their plastic prisons. I have broken out a few of them, too. I do not really believe in grading, though I respect the fact that some do. From time to time, such as this blog post will show, I purchased a graded card for various reasons. Those reasons are largely to do with cost. If I can find a graded card for approximately the same price that I can get an ungraded card, I am interested. Also, too, if the graded card is in better condition than an ungraded card, then I might be inclined to bid/buy.

Ralph Kiner is someone I have always had an interest in. His 1948 black and white, small, square Bowman card was one of the earliest vintage cards I ever acquired back in the 1980s.

Recently, I was seeking to acquire Kiner's 1954 Bowman card. This comes on the heels of getting his 1955 Bowman, which is also his final made card as he retired in 1955 at the age of 32.

I had been looking at this 1954 Bowman for a few weeks. I lost a few auctions along the way. But then finally, I woke up one morning only to learn I won an auction! Not including shipping or tax, I paid about $20 for the card, which was SGC graded 3. Which seems a joke if you look at the scan.

Here is the card as I received it.