Is this just me

[brob28]

Hey guys, I'm not trying to start a seller or TPG trash thread, but need to know if my eyes are failing me. Take a look at this listing. Look at the right border on this card in particular from Kaline's ear to the shoulder area. If that is not trimmed, I need to get an eye exam.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-Topps-429-Al-Kaline-HOF-Detroit-Tigers-PSA-7-NM-/361040330627?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item540fae3f83

[roce4e52]

Hard to tell from the front scan, but the back scan makes it look like the left hand side is wavy cut to me. My eyes are not what they were in 61 though.

[brob28]

LOL, I think I'm in the running for the most boring post of the week, month... :eek:

[Shoebox]

I am simply not good enough at detecting altertions on cards. I put too much faith in the holder but working on improving. I read all these threads trying to see the things more experienced buyers/collectors are looking for.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I don't think it's trimmed. I think the entire right border has a wavy cut, but I'm pretty sure it came that way from the factory, not from scissors. I've seen hundreds of cards like that with a wavy factory cut.

[brob28]

I don't think it's trimmed. I think the entire right border has a wavy cut, but I'm pretty sure it came that way from the factory, not from scissors. I've seen hundreds of cards like that with a wavy factory cut.

Wow that's crazy David, whenever I see a wavy cut like that I think trimmed or hand-cut. I've seen 100's with rough cut, but not many wavy. Anyway guys, thanks for making me feel better by responding! :p

[cubsfan-budman]

or it could have a slight bend on that one side, causing it to look thinner in the middle.

[Leon]

add another to the "don't think it's trimmed" pool. I am not great at spotting trimming but agree with David on this one.

[roce4e52]

I thought this post was pretty interesting! Many years ago when I put this set together I found a lot (meaning 2-3 out of 100) of cards that were cut to big. Not the whole card but it would go from 2 1/2 to 2 9/16 along one edge. Wavy cut like the graded example you found. I thought it must be a worn cutter or a loose cutter sliding around the card. Every Topps year seems to have some issue, off center, fish eye, focus, but for me I have only found this a problem in 61's. The information you get from this site has been very helpful and only wish I knew about it sooner.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I thought this post was pretty interesting! Many years ago when I put this set together I found a lot (meaning 2-3 out of 100) of cards that were cut to big. Not the whole card but it would go from 2 1/2 to 2 9/16 along one edge. Wavy cut like the graded example you found. I thought it must be a worn cutter or a loose cutter sliding around the card. Every Topps year seems to have some issue, off center, fish eye, focus, but for me I have only found this a problem in 61's. The information you get from this site has been very helpful and only wish I knew about it sooner.

Correct, all the cards with wavy cuts that I've ever seen are oversize. Usually the narrowest with of the card is the standard width of a baseball card, but if you hold it up to a regular card, you can tell it's definitely oversized. I always thought it was the sheet sliding around or slipping during the cutting process, but you could be right about the cutter too.

[brob28]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm only two cards from completing the set and have handled quite a few while completing it. I always chalk up a wavy edge like that as a trimmed card. Post war cards in particular. As the previous poster said, the knowledge of collectors on this site and their willingness to share is incredibly helpful. I'm still staying away from edges like that one. ;)

[brob28]

I thought this post was pretty interesting! Many years ago when I put this set together I found a lot (meaning 2-3 out of 100) of cards that were cut to big. Not the whole card but it would go from 2 1/2 to 2 9/16 along one edge. Wavy cut like the graded example you found. I thought it must be a worn cutter or a loose cutter sliding around the card. Every Topps year seems to have some issue, off center, fish eye, focus, but for me I have only found this a problem in 61's. The information you get from this site has been very helpful and only wish I knew about it sooner.

Just curious if any of you have noticed anything similar with '62 Topps?

[roce4e52]

Hi Bill,
I put together a 62 set around the same time but did not see this problem with them. It was a low grade set so might not have noticed.
Bill D.

[Davino]

If someone trimmed that card then they would have trimmed to a higher grade.