Cracker Jack trimming question
 

So I want to trim my slightly oversized CJs and was wondering the best way. Im freakin kidding.
A lot of my CJs with nice corners measure dead on 3" by 2.25" and I was wondering about addition signs of trimming for cjs past unever corner wear. I have a 10x-20x loupe on the way. My Cicotte is an additional 1/16" over top-bottom and is the largest Ive found.
Thanks.

Not sure about the trimming,

but I know that there are quite a few that were "bleached" many years ago with chemicals to brighten the red and the borders and also clean them a bit (CJ staining). I remember well going to a show in the late 1980s and asking a dealer about a card and he told me he bleaches every one he gets. This was before 3rd party grading, and Im sure they can now detect the chemical enhancement. Ever since then Ive seen a few of them pop up form time to time that have this look.

Just thought Id add this to you post in case some that didnt know this..

both sets, E145-1 and E145-2, are the only cards I know of that were "bleached". but Im sure some strip cards could have been done too as they sort of have the same stock.

I just use a very sharp mat cutter. Sand down the edges first and test on lightweight watercolor paper.

Okay, quit taking notes. I bought a trimmed CJ that had a near-mint appearance. Louped it, studied the hell out of it. Couldn't see the evidence of trimming, but I knew it was trimmed (it was sold to me that way). Just for grins, sent it to SGC - they sent it back as 'trimmed'. I was impressed, but made a mental note not to buy unslabbed NM CJ's.

Is there a way to determine if a cards been bleached? My only sgc 4 looks crystal bright...

I've always strongly suspected this card (in a psa 3 holder btw) has been bleached. Still very happy with it though.

<a href="http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/zouraspm/?action=view&amp;current=scan0jk017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/zouraspm/scan0jk017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/zouraspm/?action=view&amp;current=scakn0010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/zouraspm/scakn0010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Pete,

That looks more like glue residue than bleaching.

Agreed, Michael - looks like it was removed from a scrapbook and given a good soaking.