OK so there's a lot to unpack here.

First this is part of a graded set break. The consignor had a handful of cards graded, we recently submitted over 70 ourselves all but one of which received a number grade from PSA. The rest of the set is available in the Basketball singles section of the auction. Overall the set is stunningly free from the print flaws that normally plague this set such as print snow, registration issues etc. It does suffer from typical centering woes.

Second, the consignor requested we don't regrade the Russell card. He provided the receipt from the original purchase from another auction company from back in 2005, and also pointed out that it was a "first graded" which many people consider to be more reliable when it comes to GAI grading. We will be including the receipt with the customer's name redacted. His feeling was that since it is an older GAI grade (2005 at the latest since that's when it was purchased at auction) it is more reliable

THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANT This card is trimmed. The top edge simply isn't straight. It's not insanely wavy but it's not straight. We do NOT guarantee this card will receive a number grade from any other company, and in fact would be shocked if it did.

Fourth, the trimming of this card is heartbreaking because with the tiny amount removed it couldn't have made that big a difference in the grade. The card was obviously well centered even before the trim because there's simply not very much missing. In fact if the trim is indeed on the top edge it may have actually HURT the centering as that is the border that seems a little small. As far as the grade if you ignore the trimming issue we feel it's more in the 7 - 7.5 range. The corners just aren't sharp enough to merit an 8.5. I will say that the card is clean with much better registration than many 1957's and amazingly free of print snow in the darker portions of the card. This had to be a fairly stellar card to begin with which makes the apparent alteration even more frustrating.

So, to sum up, the card is being sold in a GAI holder at the consignor's request. We believe the card is trimmed and slightly over graded regardless of the trimming. However, It is a card with tremendous eye-appeal. We will not guarantee a number grade from another grading company, you are buying this "as is"

Scott Russell