Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Kevin Saucier</b><p>When inspecting a slabbed card make sure to look very closely at the corners and edges. Not necessarily for alterations but for damages caused by the slab itself. Just because a card is in a holder does not always mean it is better protected.<br /><br />The picture below shows a "high-grade" card that has been damaged by the rails that keep it in place. Through time (who knows how long) the end of the two rails, top and side, have placed pressure on the corner and caused the card to peel. If you look closely you can see the tip of the rails have dented each side. What you can't see is the layers below the top are also separating, as well as another corner.<br /><br /><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/only_child/peeling1.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Typically an entire edge is dinged inward from a slightly loose card being banged against the rail or gasket. Usually this can only be seen under magnification. This is another high-grade card. The picture clearly shows the left edge as being pushed in forming a ridge...in reality almost the entire edge has been affected. This is very common.<br /><br /><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/only_child/railding.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Under a halogen and a 10x loupe inspect some of your cards. You might be surprised to find out the slab meant to protect your card may have downgraded the condition. Those "card condoms" (plastic inner sleeves) that most collectors dislike are not always a bad thing. Most of the time it adds some extra protection.<br /><br />Just another thing to look for!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kevin Saucier

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Perry Eaves</b><p>"Under a halogen and a 10x loupe inspect some of your cards."<br /><br /><br />Inspecting PSA cards with a 10x loupe. There is nothing like a relaxing hobby.

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Steve f</b><p> Sadly, I see minute gasket/rail dings on a couple of cards. From poor packaging and Post Office handling. <br /><br /> Inside holder edges shouldn't be solid. Perhaps the companies should use a silicone or foam rails to cushion brittle, Prewar cardstock.<br /><br />Thankyou Kevin

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Brian</b><p>Or the slab could just decide to open up and dump your card:<br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/millerbr/bullet/100_7245.jpg">

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Bruce Babcock</b><p><img src="http://homepage.mac.com/thurber51/.Pictures/Grading%20Mishaps/Zeenut%20Weaver.jpg">

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>paulstratton</b><p>Bruce, <br /><br />Did you get that back from PSA like that?...or did it just sort of happen?

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Bruce Babcock</b><p>Paul, I won the Weaver in a Mastro auction. The auction catalog showed the card in its normal position. The card somehow slipped out of place during shipping. I liberated it.<br /><br />Below is another example (not my card).<br /><br /><img src="http://homepage.mac.com/thurber51/.Pictures/Grading%20Mishaps/E100Bishop.jpg">

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>paulstratton</b><p>Did the Weaver suffer any damage? Did Mastro accept any responsibility?

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Bruce MacPherson</b><p>My contribution. I won this card from an auction and the card was fine in the auction photo, so the damage almost certainly occurred in transit. Granted it is only a "1", but it is irritating nonetheless.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1186268284.JPG">

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Brett</b><p>If you drop a graded card on the floor, the case will break and screw the card up. If you drop a card in a top loader, nothing will happen to it :D <br /><br />I'm glad I don't grade cards <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>PSpaeth</b><p>I don't follow... how can the rails, which don't come anywhere near the corner, damage the corner? Are you saying the card is too tight in the slab so the whole card is being crushed?

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>Boy, It looks like condem failure, any offspring? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Lee

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Kevin Saucier</b><p>"I don't follow... how can the rails, which don't come anywhere near the corner, damage the corner? Are you saying the card is too tight in the slab so the whole card is being crushed?"<br /><br /><br /><br />A collector and I tried this. We repeatedly hit a vintage thick-layered card against the rails on an open slab. The force caused dents on each side and the cardboard to split, exactly like the card displayed.<br /><br />Imagine the corner of the card is a zit and the rails are fingers...you get the picture <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Kevin Saucier<br /><br />

Slabs don't always protect
 

Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>Look on pages 16-17 of the new Goodwin & Co. catalog for a nice selection of slabbed cards that are rotated about 45 degrees inside the slab.