Card repair advice

[skelly423]

I bought a card online, and it destroyed in transit to the point where it was ripped in half. I’d like to try and salvage it if possible. Does anyone here have any experience with this, or any recommendations for what I can do? It’s a $150 card, so it doesn’t make sense to send it for professional restoration, but it has a beautiful autograph that I don’t want to see wasted either.


Thanks in advance.

[JollyElm]

How do you feel about lamination? Or is that not a consideration?

I recently went to Kinko's to laminate some things, and that's a pretty easy option. You can put the card 'back together' inside the 8.5" x 11" lamination plastic (which is simple), make sure it looks as good as possible, and then feed it into the machine to be sealed.

[ullmandds]

I would remove from the slab, approximate the edges and scotch tape!

[FrankWakefield]

It's not going to 'repair' well...


With that said, get a raggedy 1950s ball card, a real beater. Then tear it 1/4 & 3/4... then water down a bit of white glue, Elmer's glue, and try gluing that back together. Less is more. Try this two or 3 times, and get yourself a bit of proficiency at it. Get a tiny little hobby paint brush, and maybe trim down the bristles a bit. I think as you get adept at putting a tiny bit of watered down glue on the gray subsurface paper, you'll see that you can wipe off excess glue from the front side of the card with a slightly dampened paper towel. Place the card between some blotting paper, and then under a few hardbound books, then let dry. Less is more, except for patience.

Once you've learned a bit of what not to do; and have an idea of what's needed for acceptable results, THEN go for it with your 1952 Topps.

I wish you well with it, please post results and an epilog of suggestions.

[Vintagedeputy]

I would put a clear piece of laminate on the rear and piece it together.

[NiceDocter]

Well to start with I sure as hell wouldnt laminate it...... thats permanent! Maybe a tiny bit of Elmers or a piece of clear tape on the back only? Its a shame that happened in transit. At least it didnt get the autographed part!

[JustinD]

PLEASE do not laminate it.

In college I worked in a library restoring damaged books when needed. Some of considerable value and age. I would never use materials that were permanent additions unless absolutely necessary.

This is what you need, just add to the back and find a nice clean snap case -

https://www.dickblick.com/products/l...t-repair-tape/