Dave, I absolutely love your post. The combo of your innermost reasonings and feelings is something we can all deeply relate to. It may be quite true that a hungry termite or cockroach began working on this gorgeous card, but the pest only got just so far. The heart of the card----Wahoo Sam's portrait, is unmarred (or uneaten!%*!), as well as the important nameplate and producer of the card. Dave, you bought yourself a card with all the heart and soul looking virtually pristine, and while we would all wish for you a graded high-end gem, your bank account will not have vanished.
I think you did extremely well, and since you're a connoisseur of Mr. Crawford, that visage of Sam is telling you, "Look, Dave, I scared those lousy pests away from me; now I'm glad you finally lost sleep enough to buy me for your own to enjoy! One thing's for sure---you won't let any more of those blasted pests get close to me!!!!! Here's looking at you, my fan; I saved this card for you! Put me in a nice spot in your collection of 'ol Sam and have fun remembering me. Those were swell times, buddy!"
Thanks again, Dave, for sharing your journey of joy. --- Brian Powell