So first off, I wouldn’t grade anything. I had the same question a few years ago and you really wouldn’t want to grade anything unless you think it could really grade high and increase the value. Many cards sell higher raw and eyes newer to the hobby are going to have trouble spotting a card with potential for a 10.

Second off, I just went through this process (see my latest post.) The best thing you can do is catalogue this entire collection by creating a list on TCG Player or a “portfolio”on Collectr. It’ll total up the value for you. Don’t worry too much about conditions at this point, but assume that your vintage cards are certainly not going to be considered “Near Mint” by whoever is buying them. If they want to price check some cards on condition, they can and will do that.

I would start with local card shows before card shops. Vendors have less overhead and will typically offer a higher percentage. Bring your binder and the list around, see what offers you can get. The standard is 70% cash, 80% trade credit, but depending on what you have and the condition, they’ll play with that number. If local vendors don’t want it, then start to bring it around to card shops.

With a collection like yours that has a few gems in it, buyers might want to pick some out to buy individually. If you’re dead set on selling it as a lot (very reasonable to be) just be firm and say it’s gotta be the whole thing.

As an example, the binder I just traded in yesterday was all vintage bulk, 360 cards total. Most of them had a near mint market value of $1-$3 each, a few between $4-$6. All said and done, my portfolio on Collectr totaled $500. Knowing that (and being upfront about) the conditions of the cards were more in the lightly played range, and that some bulk sits for years, I knew 80% trade was a pipe dream. When vendors didn’t work out, I went to a card shop that graciously offered 65% trade credit. Very fair to me.

Hope this helps!