Need Help Evaluating a Card: Registration
 

Greetings,

I have met a very nice person through the Net54 board, and we are talking about an exchange of my $ for his card. The card is a T206 Christy Mathewson. See the attached image.

I love the card but for one issue - the registration. I hope the attached JPG is adequate. Note the thin line on the right side and the ghosting on the left side of the uniform. This appears to be a registration problem.

I could use some help understanding:
- is this a registration problem?
- if it is a registration problem, is it a significant one?
- if it is a problem, how much does it effect the value of the card and the card's ability to maintain its value?

If it was just an issue of how I liked the card, no problem. I see it when I study the card but I find the overall card very appealing. My concern is that this is an expensive card and I want to make sure - even though I don't want to ever sell - that this card would maintain value and would fit into the PSA 5 range.

Thanks to the seller for being so reasonable and fair, and thanks for any and all feedback! My view and the seller's is that the card could have gotten a 6, but perhaps it didn't because of the registration?

Eric

The printing is out of registration. Look at the side of his neck, his ear, his sleeve, and the front of his pants... in addition to that line you mentioned.

I'd prefer a card with some rounded corners, maybe a slight crease, and sharp registration; but then I'm not worried about a number on a slab. This would be a card that would look better graded for someone who was going to focus on the slip, rather than someone who was going to focus on the image on the card with no concern about a plastic slab.

I like it. dont mind the registration as long as it is not too far off. I think the colors are what makes this card attractive. It looks quite a bit like my own (below). For some reason I have noticed that it is a common issue with this card. Perhaps it's just my imagination? Nonetheless, as you can see judging by my own card I would be pleased with the one you posted. However I paid like $75.00 for mine many many years ago!

The card is slightly out of register, but it does not detract too much from the card in my opinion. Ultimately, though, it will be up to you and how you feel about it. Here's a scan of my Matty, which earned a "50" from SGC. Notice the ghosting by his pants is also evident on my card, but doesn't show up as much near his arm. Still, the card you are questioning is not off by much.

Best of luck with your collecting goals, etc.

Not too bad at all. The blue is slightly off

The worst ones will have the eyes messed up ie some T206 Cobb red portraits or even worse the lip color etc way off ie the E90-1 Joe Jackson cards...

The OPs card at top is not that bad at all, Id rather have it slightly off registered like that.... than cut off center.

The Matty black cap is probably my favorite T206, and it was the first card I purchased when getting back into the hobby.

It's a fascinating card for a few reasons. I posted a thread about this particular card many years ago, along with some images that show two variations. I can't locate the thread, but I have the images on an external drive and will put them here when located. I was lucky enough to obtain a huge group of beautiful ungraded T206's, mostly HOF'ers, from a find that Cy was involved in, and there were 5-6 Matty black caps.

The great thing about this image is that it generally looks good even if the registration is off to the left or right, as long as the colors are bold. This one doesn't have perfect registration either, but I love the colors:

http://runscott.homestead.com/Cards/...98MatS40sm.jpg

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Helps to understand the variation in quality and where boundaries are.

And I agree Scott, this is probably my favorite card in the set (along with Gandil and McGraw hands at hip, and Keeler batting....) I'd love to see that old post if you can dig it up.

Eric

Deleted double post - sorry!