Remove Ink/Pen Writing
 

From old cards safely, without damaging the cards?

Have some cards that have writing like "retired", "traded", etc., on the front. Looks like ball point pen, but no severe indentation. If it can't be done without damaging or ruining the cards, I will just let it go.

I have a feeling pen/ink writing is something that will not easily remove.

I always like to think of the vintage cards I have like this (retired, traded, team name added, etc.) as updated versions of the card that make tracking the player's career easier. I especially appreciate the "Dead" annotation, because then I know I don't need to follow that player's career anymore.

Brian

Ink
 

Ink isnt usually coming out without wrecking a card. probably just let em be....

"Gone with the Stain" used to be able to safely do this. But the guy who ran the outfit passed a couple of years ago, so dunno if the co. is still in biz. However, any attempt - successful or not - at doing this, should you want the card(s) graded will likely result in at best an "Authentic" label and not a number. Probably best to leave the ink as is.

Thanks, I guess I knew all along, but thought I would ask. I think I will leave them as is.

They still are around, and still doctoring cards to get into slabs.

According to their website, they don't touch ink. Not sure if Dick used to do it, and the practice died with him, but apparently it's not something they can do today.

https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/news/nerattowle

Dick used to brag about removing fountain pen ink. I don’t keep up with the details of the services they provide the scammers as it changes year to year.

A few months ago I stumbled upon a very old thread, https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ight=autograph, in which Dick posted here how he was able to remove a signature in ink from a baseball Good for Dick but probably not the best news for the hobby.

Even if you can successfully remove the ink, the cards will probably have indenture marks from the ballpoint pen.

My understanding from my conversations with Dick, if I’m recalling correctly, was that he could remove ink. I never followed through as I lost the auction I was going after, so no idea regarding indentations. But at least it seems possible.

I may be in the majority but I actually like the updates little kids added to the cards—downgraded a Venezuelan Topps Mantle to get a version with “Retirado” written on it.