Sketch Cards: To grade or not to grade?

[Zoop]

Hey guys,

I was thinking of submitting a few of my aforementioned Garbage Pail Kids sketch cards to BGS, but I'm not sure if that's something that's considered kosher in the world of sketch. The black ink has leaked through to the other side on a few, the corners are usually 8.5-ish on something that's been heavily handled, the whole nine yards... That said, I'd love something incredibly protective with that sleek look of the BGS graded case more so than their non-graded ones. Keep in mind they will never leave my collection, so it's not like coming back a 6.5 (I exaggerate, of course) will scar me for life or anything.

In summation, please answer the poll for sketches in general, not really my instance. But also, would you do it if you were me? I appreciate your insight and opinions. Thanks!

[Igman7]

Do you ever see works of art encased in plastic? No, and there is really no need to do so with sketches IMO. In many cases, there are slight nuances that just can not be fully appreciated through plastic.

[Mystafet]

Originally Posted by Igman7

Do you ever see works of art encased in plastic? No, and there is really no need to do so with sketches IMO. In many cases, there are slight nuances that just can not be fully appreciated through plastic.

I too am going to have to agree, think it would take away from the beauty of the card itself. Also, for the collectors, some people prefer to collect/showcase/store theirs differently, while putting them in the graded slab could detour people from wanting that card.

[guru]

I picked up this 2008 Topps Stadium Club Gary Carter 1/1 Sketch Card at a card show a few months back. It was graded a BGS 8.5

2008 was really prior to the sketch card craze hitting the card collecting world, so I figured this card was a good investment...

It looks really good. Check it out: Gary Carter 2008 Stadium Club Sketch #'d 1/1 BGS 8.5 NM-MT+ Topps Rich Molinelli | eBay

[ifish73]

I have not had any of my sketches graded. I prefer to keep them in binders with the set they go to. If you want to have them encased, do not have them graded, just slabbed as authentic. Since they are PC you can have them add to the label `Zoop collection' like wheeler does.

[Zerokruel]

I say no. Breygent tried it in the past, and it didn't do well. I actually had a small conversation with Tom about this. The general consensus with the customers - were they they like to have their cards in a binder.

Also, customers were confused on the grading process. Some artist use different applications for their work - so textures can change. You couldn't real grade the surface on like an acrylic card then. Centering might be next to impossible. That really just leave corners and edges I guess? Would the grader simply grade the art?

[Ty Hope]

Nope. I'm a huge sketch collector and would never consider getting them graded. No point.

[baytowntex]

Originally Posted by Ty Hope

Nope. I'm a huge sketch collector and would never consider getting them graded. No point.

i agree, grading is just the graders opinion anyhow

[Zoop]

Overwhelming decision! Thanks for the input, guys.