How does writing on cards affect value?

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Posted By: jsbdmm

I have some cards that have writing on them and have picked them up pretty cheaply. I am leary about buying some more expensive cards that have writing on them because I am not sure how much that affects the value of the card. I was looking at eBay and saw a Ty Cobb t206 that had writing on the back that was graded a 5. I thought that having writing on the card would make it grade lower than that. How much does the writing on a card actually lower the grade on a card? Thanks.

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Posted By: steve f

PSA labeled (mk) the "marked" qualifier, or any (?) could drop the value 2-3 grades depending on eye appeal. Lets' have a looksee.

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Posted By: dennis

a card with writing on the back would only grade as high as good. writing on the front an automatic poor. stamped initials or names don't bother me at all on the back of prewar cards. scribble and crossed out teams does.i would not buy any card with writing on front.(unless it's a very small mark on an expensive card.)it's all up to the individual collector. i would never purchase a post war card with writing anywhere on it.

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Posted By: Mark

"a card with writing on the back would only grade as high as good."

That's not true for PSA. I just won a PSA 6(mk) with pencil on the back.

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Posted By: Cobby33

I'm considering buying a PSA 1 with a rubber-stamped name on the back. I'm sure this took part in PSA's grade, as it appears to be a pretty nice card nonetheless. PSA, however, didn't note a "MK" qualifier on the label. Is this typical?
Thanks!

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Posted By: Henry Eshelman

They use the MK qualifier only when the card would grade that grade without the mark. IDK but maybe if its alraedy a one then theres no need for the MK qualifier.

Thanks, Henry Eshelman

Website:www.freewebs.com/vintagebaseball

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Posted By: John S

Depending on the issue....an address, a name, or a note in old faded fountain pen adds a little history to the cards. If a bio that is obscured by the writing then I will usually pass. I have a handful of t206's with writing. As far as value, it is very subjective based on the issue, amount and type of writing, and collector preference.

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Writing on the back of a card need not always decrease it's value.

I have a few cards with Buck Barker's stamp on the back, I value them more than an unmarked card. And I suspect that some board contributors would feel the same.

I'd imagine a card signed by Mr. Burdick would be a significant boost to value. Screw this drop 2 grades crap.... I don't care if PSA moved a card from an 8 to a 2... Burdick's autograph on a T206 common would increase the value.

Someone has just shown the backs of 3 T3 cards, 2 mention the date the original collector mailed off for the card, and the date it was received. I'd pay more for that, notwithstanding what a grader does.

Most markings and writings would detract from value... but not always.

I once heard a collector opine that mid-50s Bob Feller cards were worth more if they were not signed by Bob, than if they were. Seems Bob would sign anything and everything for everyone... and by the mid 70s this collector thought it difficult to find unsigned stuff. And if something was unsigned at a card show, you had to hide it if Bob walked by, 'cause he'd sign it! He was joking...

Frank.