54 Topps torn edge look?
 

Hi all, new poster here.

Just curious if anyone knows the story why so many 54 Topps cards have at least one edge that looks as if instead of being cut from the sheet, they were folded and torn? Also if it affects grade? Example below.

<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/8944803940_476d7b6912_c.jpg" width="566" height="800" alt="54T_Mele"></a>

Welcome, Joe.

I'll assume you mean that deckled look on the side borders.

My own conjecture: 52 and 53 Ts normally all have four white borders. 54s never have a white border on top, at least as far as I have seen. I think the 54 sheet was poorly layed out, and/or the person/cutter who previously and nicely lined up the machinery for earlier issues was off that week.. Dull blades, maybe? Just speculation. Still, weird to not have four white borders.

Anyone have a 54T sheet to post?

Could be a number of factors. Could be the color. 53 Topps are notorious for chipping at the corner where the color bleeds all the way to edge.

Could also be paper/card stock. The 52 series printed on white stock, to my eye, seem to exhibit more of this tearing than other series which by and large seem to cut pretty cleanly.

These 54s appear to look like many of the OPC issues from the late 60s and 70s that are poorly cut...in both cases it is likely due to the blade on the cutting equipment that was being used to cut these cards was not sharp enough. Try using a paper cutter that is sharp versus one that is not sharp...the less sharp cutter will "bevel' the paper along the edge of the cut.

These are called "rough cuts" and they're not just limited to '54s. You'll find them on every year of Topps cards, but mainly from '52 thru '56. I absolutely love rough cuts. No, it doesn't affect the grade. Here are some of mine from my '56 set...

Vintagetoppsguy.
I too, have a deckeled or rough cut. Happens to be my 1955 Topps Clemente rookie. Always wanted to send it to grading to see what happens with it.

Actually the names Ken, and thanks for the welcome.

Yeah deckled edge is probably a better was of describing it. I've always wondered what caused that. Dull bladde sounds like as good excuse as any.

I tend to like them as well. Even more so knowing it doesn't affect grade. Nice cards!

I like rough cuts too...no doubt caused by factory cutting. I disagree though about a "rough cut" not affecting the grade. I notice the 7s and 8s are near flawless (except for the rough cut) what I would like to see is if anyone has an example of a 9 or 10? I would be willing to bet that a rough cut will not grade a 9 or 10 soooo yes it does affect the grade. Dave ps about 54s having no top white border....that was by design of topps. TPGs have a difficult time telling when a 54 is centered top to bottom. Much like the 54 topps hockey where with white backgrounds tpgs just don't "get" the centering on those cards.

Top border...
http://www.irishhosta.com/ebay/uploa...1348177609.jpg

Left border (Not a great scan, but they don't get much more rough cut than that)...
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1954-Topps-13...1zg~~60_57.JPG

Well......ya learn something new everyday! :o Dave

Sgc
 

I believe SGC jobbed me on this Clemente cause of the rough edge, nothing else wrong with card:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd5d8320c.jpg

Not trying to pile on, Dave, but here's another (although this "10" grade can easily be dsputed)...

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6e...jpg_012935.jpg

I would crack that card out and re-submit it. The only thing I see is a fuzzy bottom left corner, but that might just be the scan.

Edited to add some of my '72 rough cuts...

Sorry, Everbody is a Joe to me until I learn their name.

I really like the rough cut. Gives the card some character. To me, the only disatisfaction is when those cuts start gathering dirtiness. But even then, still cool but lesser grade, which is not necessarily a concern for me.

dull knife
 

54T, 55T, 56T,..Im pretty sure a dull cutting knife could also have a negitve effect on a mans hair piece, the horse hair tends to curl at the ends

Ha!

The cards from the early 50's were cut with a virbating wire ( like a jig saw ). When the wire began to get loose or worn, the cut was/became rough. I can't speak for later years, perhaps Topps was still using the same equipment in the early 70's. From what I have read, a rough cut does not effect the grade of the card since a rough cut is not out of the norm and at times expected for the issued cards.

cutting
 

Yes, thats true..in the early days Topps factory did you a "jig saw" type blade to seperate the cards. It was very similar to a " wig saw" blade that they use to cut and shape mens hair pieces