OK- I'll take my lumps on this '54 SI issue

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Posted By: Todd (nolemmings)

Take it easy on me, please. I was wondering whether SGC would/should grade these, and if so, why not?

I had a chance years ago to pick up real cheap a first edition SI with the card foldout, where part of the magazine and one entire row or column (I forget) of "cards" was mangled. I wondered what would be wrong with carefully cutting the remaining "cards". I doubted there would ever be a market for it, but thought that kids "back in the day" may have done this, and also thought they looked pretty cool. My "thou shall never deface an original, no matter what condition" values took hold, and I walked away.

Still, seems to me that these "cards" were intended to be cut from the sheet. SGC grades bazooka and post issues that have been cut, and even '71 Milk Duds cut from the box. In 1962, Maris and Mantle had their post cereal cards included on a special two-card panel in a magazine, and I know I've seen the Maris example graded by SGC and labeled as coming from the magazine. I may be wrong, but I also believe that the '41 Playball paper version has been graded, which clearly would have been cut from the sheet.

Don't get me wrong, I do not approve of NASA or AAA or whatever. It does appear to me however, that the '54 SI cards are completely different than cutting photos out of an old Reach or Spalding guide. So again, I ask, should/does SGC grade this issue?

Regards...........Todd