[dougscats]

Interesting thread.
Most surprising: that it is more or less acceptable to erase.

I'd done it when I was newer to the hobby, years ago, with some low-grade T206's. I did it not to deceive but to improve the appearance of the cards, with good results. But thinking more about it and concerned with the ethics, I stopped.

Reading this thread, I was surprised to learn that SGC and most responders condoned it. After some more circumspection, I cracked open a PSA 1 [Mk] Frank Baker I'd recently bought, erased the light pencil mark on the back, and was very pleased to have improved the card. I can't see any erasure with the naked eye, nor is it noticeable under the microscope. I would disclose it were I to sell/trade it.

But it brings up the question: What's the best eraser to use?

I've used an ordinary draftsman's eraser [the white, plastic type, say the size of a 2" long, half inch thick bar]--certainly not the standard, orange pencil eraser, which could well leave color or damage the carboard fiber--But does anyone have any better suggestions? I do remember when I was a draftsman, many, many years ago, there was a gummy/putty-consistency eraser that might even be better.

Thanks.

Doug