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Old 05-12-2006, 11:28 AM
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Default How to grade a matchbook.

Posted By: drc

If the neat fold lines are natural to the issue (which they are with matchbooks), my opinion is the grade shouldn't be lowered. The only way they could be missing is if they matchbook was restored or if the matchbook was never folded. The neatness of the lines will be part of the grade no doubt.

If I were selling a matchbook I would say something like "Near Mint with expected fold lines."

A few years back I won a bunch of 1930s hockey and football matchbooks from MastroNet. They were all flat, with matches removed and fold lines. MastroNet graded them as ExMt.

It's all relative. If a grader says a matchbook can't get above Vg with folds and another says folds themselves don't detract from grade, it's two opinions about the same matchbook with the same folds. If they switch opinions the next day, it's the same matchbook with the same folds. If the grading company details their grading rules for matchbooks, the collector will be able to understand what the grade signifies.

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