It was worth the 14h drive...Impatient for the 2nd Round!

[laurentolaj]

Hi Everybody

After 33 years of collecting, I have finally decided a few months ago to grade the best cards of my Olajuwon and side PC collections.

I used to pay very affordable prices ($50 to $100 for most of the big 90's Olajuwon cards for example) back in the 00's, and their value has been multiplied by 10 to 20, even much more for some of them. As I have decided to sell 5% of my collection every year during the next 20 years, I was under the feeling that it is now time to make them graded for authenticity and conservation.

Not many people around here know me as I am quiet and do not go on social media but I live in France so it is not that easy to grade an expensive collection for logistics and financial reasons when you are a European guy, especially with Trump new taxes.

Hopefully, I was able to negociate with Beckett Grading Service a once in a lifetime opportunity with a drop off and pick up option in their German facility opened in January.

Today was a very special and exciting day for me as it was the drop off day! After a warm welcome from their staff, I have given to them a package with 155 of my best cards to grade. They told me that these cards would be graded by the end of August but I will pick them up only end of October. Reason is that to go to their european facility from France it is a 14h road trip and I want to be fully rested to avoid car accident! And end of October is holidays and my children are with their grandparents so I will be rested

Additionnally, I was able to negotiate as well a rare same day grading option on 2 cards, which indeed was a super express grading as they have done it in 2 hours!
I have asked this same day grading for my two 1997-98 PMG of Olajuwon (red and green) because I did not want that cards to stay in Germany for a few months. It also has given me an additional objective for this trip

I am happy with the grades that I feel are fair, not too high or too low.
The PMG green has an average grade of 7.5 but got a 6.5 at the end because of severe surface issues (scratch on the top of the card + refractor line). The PMG red is quite homogenous on the subgrades with a 9.5 centering either.

I am super impatient to get the other 155 cards now! Under is the list of what I asked them to grade!

I really want to deeply thank beckett grading services for their help and especially Ingalouise from their customer service which is really communicative and helpful. I deeply recommand their services and their affordable prices

Laurent









List of the next 155 cards which are about 80% of my top cards:
1997-98 E-X2001 Essential Credentials Future #25 Hakeem Olajuwon/56
1997-98 E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now #25 Hakeem Olajuwon/25
1999-00 E-X Essential Credentials Now #29 Hakeem Olajuwon/29
1999-00 E-X Essential Credentials Future #29 Hakeem Olajuwon/32
1998-99 E-X Century Essential Credentials Future #36 Hakeem Olajuwon/55
1998-99 E-X Century Essential Credentials Now #36 Hakeem Olajuwon/36
2001-02 E-X Essential Credentials Future Memorabilia #55 Hakeem Olajuwon/6
1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above #7 Hakeem Olajuwon
2006-07 E-X Jambalaya #JHO Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection #17 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Fleer Showcase Legacy Collection #75 Hakeem Olajuwon
2001-02 Fleer Showcase Legacy #53 Hakeem Olajuwon
1996-97 Flair Showcase Hot Shots #12 Hakeem Olajuwon
1996-97 Metal Precious Metal #227 Hakeem Olajuwon MET
1997-98 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems #61 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #106 Hakeem Olajuwon
2013-14 Fleer Retro '95-96 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green #227 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Fleer Brilliants 24-Karat Gold #91 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #120 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #239 Hakeem Olajuwon TS
1997-98 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #250 Hakeem Olajuwon CL
1998-99 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #87 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #222 Hakeem Olajuwon NF
2013-14 Fleer Retro '98-99 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies #144 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 SkyBox Thunder Super Rave #3 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 Z-Force Super Rave #134 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 SkyBox APEX Xtra #128 Hakeem Olajuwon
2001-02 Topps Chrome Refractors Black Border #34 Hakeem Olajuwon
1994-95 Finest Cornerstone Refractors Test #CS15 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Finest Refractors Gold #29 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Finest Team Finest Gold Refractors #TF6 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Finest Team Finest Red Refractors #TF6 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Finest Gold Refractors #110 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Topps MVP Promotion #216 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Topps Gold Label Class 1 Red Label #77 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Topps Gold Label Class 2 Red Label #77 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Topps Gold Label Class 3 Red Label #77 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Topps Gold Label Prime Gold Red Label #PG2 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 Hoops High Voltage 500 #HV19 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Hoops Starting Five #129 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 Ultra Platinum Medallion #82P Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 Ultra Platinum Medallion #264P Hakeem Olajuwon GRE
1998-99 Ultra Platinum Medallion #68 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Ultra Platinum Medallion #55 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 Ultra Stars Gold #18 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 SP Authentic Profiles 3 #P16 Hakeem Olajuwon
1997-98 SPx Grand Finale #18 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 SPx Finite Spectrum #203 Hakeem Olajuwon FE
1999-00 SPx radiance #27 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 SPx Spectrum #28 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Upper Deck MVP Super Script #56 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Upper Deck MVP Super Script #62 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Fleer Supreme Court Collection #165 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Silver #HO Hakeem Olajuwon
2015 Panini National Treasures Collegiate Multisport Notable Nicknames #10 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Patch #GJP8 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Black Diamond A Piece of History Triple #HO Hakeem Olajuwon H
1997-98 Stadium Club Printing Plates #39C Hakeem Olajuwon Yellow
1998-99 Stadium Club Printing Plates #11 Hakeem Olajuwon Black
1999-00 Stadium Club Chrome First Day Issue Refractors #80 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Upper Deck AeroDynamics Gold #A11 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Upper Deck Forces Gold #F18 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 Upper Deck Super Powers Gold #S10 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998-99 UD Choice StarQuest Gold #SQ10 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Upper Deck BioGraphics Level 2 #B6 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Ultimate Victory Ultimate Victory #20 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Epic Signatures #HK Hakeem Olajuwon/Did not sign
1999-00 Upper Deck Retro Platinum #92 Hakeem Olajuwon
2000-01 Upper Deck Slam Extra Strength Gold #21 Hakeem Olajuwon
1999-00 Black Diamond Final Cut #28 Hakeem Olajuwon
1996-97 Flair Showcase Row 1 #31 Kobe Bryant
1996-97 Flair Showcase Row 0 #23 Michael Jordan
1997-98 Flair Showcase Row 1 #1 Michael Jordan
1997-98 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 0 #41 Tariq Abdul-Wahad
1997 Bleachers/Fleer Gold Holographic Foil #6 Michael Jordan 1986-87
2000-01 Upper Deck Slam Signature Slams #KB Kobe Bryant
1995-96 Flair Anticipation #2 Michael Jordan
1995-96 Flair New Heights #4 Michael Jordan
1996-97 E-X2000 Star Date 2000 #3 Kobe Bryant
2014-15 Panini Flawless USA Basketball Autographs White #6 Hakeem Olajuwon
2014-15 Panini Flawless USA Basketball Autographs Blue #6 Hakeem Olajuwon
2013-14 Panini Flawless Patches Ruby #61 Hakeem Olajuwon/15
2014-15 Panini Luxe Autographs Black #91 Hakeem Olajuwon
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #1 Magic Johnson/20
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #2 Andre Iguodala/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #5 Tony Parker/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #6 LaMarcus Aldridge/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink Gold #7 Kobe Bryant
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #8 Grant Hill/20
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #9 James Harden/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #10 Joakim Noah/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #11 Kevin Durant/20
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #12 Kevin Love/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink Gold #13 Kevin McHale
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #14 Julius Erving/20
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #15 Jerry West/20
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #16 James Worthy/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #17 Isiah Thomas/15
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink #20 Hakeem Olajuwon/15
2001-02 Topps Chrome Refractors #155 Tony Parker
2001-02 Topps Chrome Refractors Black Border #155 Tony Parker
2013-14 Fleer Retro '97-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green #263 Rudy Gobert
2013-14 Innovation Rookie Stained Glass Light Blue #11 Rudy Gobert
2013-14 Panini Crusade Insert Black #51 Rudy Gobert
1999-00 Topps Gallery Printing Plates Yellow #95 Hakeem Olajuwon
1998 Upper Deck MJx #GC2 Michael Jordan Shoes
1999 Upper Deck Employee Game Jersey #NNO Michael Jordan
2013-14 Immaculate Collection Rookie Logoman #12 Rudy Gobert
2006-07 Chronology Contemporaries #COWB Bobby Wanzer/Carl Braun
2003-04 Ultimate Collection Signatures #RO Dennis Rodman
2018 Panini Black Friday Hall of Fame Autographs #NG Nick Galis
2009-10 Classics Significant Signatures Gold #130 Bill Russell/50
2010-11 Ultimate Collection Rivalries Signatures #RFJ Walt Frazier/LeBron James
2012-13 Elite Series Veteran Inscriptions Autographs #14 Stephen Curry/25
2010-11 Panini Gold Standard 24-Karat Kobe Signatures #5 Kobe Bryant
1992 Courtside Flashback Autographs #26 George Mikan
2003-04 SP Signature Edition Signatures #YM Yao Ming
2002-03 Stadium Club All-Star Coverage Relics Logoman #ASPS Peja Stojakovic
2017-18 Panini Instant NBA Draft Metal Autographs Black #12 Frank Ntilikina
2012-13 Fleer Retro 97-98 EX 2001 Essential Credentials Future #EX36 Hakeem Olajuwon/7

[byronscott4ever]

Sounds like a nerve racking but fun trip

[boxbuster7]

nice pmgs!!!

[kingofsnake]

Thanks for your story, Laurent. I hope you are satisfied with the other grades you receive.

[laurentolaj]

Originally Posted by kingofsnake

Thanks for your story, Laurent. I hope you are satisfied with the other grades you receive.

I hope so!

Grades should be better than the PMG for most of them because PMG are super condition sensitive and probably some of the worse card condition in my collection!

[chiefroc]

oh wow. cool story!!!
Good luck with all your other cards to be graded!

I think i can remember you from at least stories or have you been active on dascardboard.de?

[kukocitb]

wow! great collection. Smart idea to hand deliver and pick up.

[Blake050]

Great cards! Good luck with the grades on the rest of them.

[pejc300]

Oh my gosh, congrats on everything and for holding on to your collection this long and now getting to reap some rewards!!

[oldgoldy97]

Awesome!

[RKH916]

Guys, shouldn't that Red PMG be an 8?

Very impressive collection and thank you for sharing the story. Make sure you update us with your results! Best of luck!

[laurentolaj]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Guys, shouldn't that Red PMG be an 8?

Very impressive collection and thank you for sharing the story. Make sure you update us with your results! Best of luck!

Thank you! Sure I will keep you updated on this topic!
It is only a part of my collection as some of my best olajuwon cards were already graded and some I have not sent them such as my 3 fleer 3D acrylic for example

[Nomad]

Those are nice cards. I keep on opening this thread just to check their shine.

[r338]

Amazing collection. I would make he drive too to submit those.

[pokemaniac]

Congrats. Great collection and look forward to seeing a showcase thread in the future with some of these 90s cards.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Guys, shouldn't that Red PMG be an 8?

Very impressive collection and thank you for sharing the story. Make sure you update us with your results! Best of luck!

It can't be a full point over the lowest subgrade I believe

and truthfully does not matter - that cards is going to command some serious money even if it was graded a 6

[hepcat]

Cool story and great collection. Love Essential Credentials

[laurentolaj]

Hello

After a few months since my initial trip to Beckett Germany for the drop off, I have made the 2nd trip for the pick up of the graded cards!

It was a great experience and the german teams and american graders were very kind.
The order was released about 40 days after the drop off during summer which is quite fast, but I wanted to wait a few more months to make the trip for personal reasons.

I am fine with the grading as well, however in my opinion the grades are tougher than those from the us facilities, especially for refractors and thick cards but that’s life.
Also, a few autos, mainly 90’s autos but also my fleer retro auto of MJ :-(, were not graded because they need to go through BAS only for obscur reasons, and BAS is only in the USA.
I have also discovered that unfortunately one of my olajuwon rubies was trimmed, and the mjx shoe card of MJ was stated as altered because the borders are a bit wavy.

So here we go, let’s show you these cards from my collection now under graded condition. I have added in the scans a few PSA or BGS cards I already had in my PC to make a kind of « family » pictures.

You can find all the cards pictured one by one on my Instagram laurent_lignon

Have a nice day

Laurent


Olajuwon PMG:



Olajuwon Rubies:



Olajuwon Credentials including 1998-99 credentials future 34/36 jersey number:



Olajuwon in career One of one:



Olajuwon Platinum medallion:



Olajuwon Legacy + kobe flair + abdul wahad legacy:



Olajuwon Hoops skybox rarities including 1999-00 Skybox Apex Xtra 34/50 jersey number:



Olajuwon Upper deck high end rarities:



Olajuwon Upper deck middle end rarities including 1999-00 Black diamond final cut 34/100



Olajuwon Upper deck low end rarities:



Olajuwon Fleer rarities:



Olajuwon Topps rare refractors:



Olajuwon Post carreer cards:



Rare innovations: first logoman card, first shoe card, first employee card, first patch set



Nice kobe and olajuwon inserts:



2012-13 flawless all star complete set:



Rudy gobert rare rookie cards:



Legends auto:



Jordan nice inserts:



Miscellenaous cards:

[kingofsnake]

Great stuff, laurentolaj. Really enjoyed looking at all the photos. Thanks for sharing.

[RKH916]

Awesome update, thanks for checking back in. That's an amazing collection. When did you start building your collection?

[laurentolaj]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Awesome update, thanks for checking back in. That's an amazing collection. When did you start building your collection?

Thank you!

I have been collecting since 1993 when I was 10 with Upper deck european collections, but I have started to truly collect good cards in 2002 with in career cards of Olajuwon.

When I had found most of the existing in carreer olajuwon cards, I have started several side PC:
- one on card auto for each all star and award winner (I have all of them)
- french player rookie cards
- some good looking base and insert sets
- dunk and block cards
- first card of each innovation in card history

I think I have about 10K cards in my PC, and these graded cards are maybe 60% of my best cards

[boxbuster7]

awesome stuff!

[pokemaniac]

Amazing cards. That thunder super rave is nuts.

[ninjabum87]

Probably one of the craziest PCs I have ever seen.

[bas]

Wow mad olajuwon collection , love the finite spectrum and apex xtra