[GeoPoto]

If we start with a couple of assumptions that I think most will agree with:

(1) Centering is an important feature that contributes substantially to the attractiveness of a card; and

(2) It is preferable to collect cards that have not been trimmed, or at least have been trimmed less than most.*

*I am trying to avoid argument regarding the pervasiveness of trimming and whether a particular card has or has not been trimmed. I am also trying to avoid introducing other forms of alteration to focus on trimming. Snowman is an active spokesperson for the view that the only sensible perspective is that most attractive graded vintage cards have been trimmed and if you own one you have to assume it may have been trimmed. This leads to another factor in the attractiveness of a card: Does it look trimmed? Heavily trimmed? Lightly trimmed? Maybe not trimmed? Etc.

Below are four cards from one of my Washington back runs. The first one and the last one are well centered mid-grade examples. The middle two, though lower graded and less well centered, show more total top-and-bottom border, which would suggest less trimming, perhaps no trimming. The larger combined borders on the middle two also make it harder to look at the other two and not suspect that their superior centering stems at least in part from greater/better trimming.

So, I am interested in thoughts regarding how this phenomenon plays into card evaluation. If centering is vital to you (as it is to Snowman) do you elevate it above all else? Or do you prefer a card that, while not centered well, at least has borders that are large enough for you to believe it may not have been trimmed (much)? Do you reject a card that is perfectly centered but (appears) obviously trimmed?

The cards shown illustrate where I come out on this. The first one and the last one have enough border to (barely) support excellent centering. The middle two are regrettably off-center, but I love the larger (bottom) border. (Leon prefers big top borders and I would take it either way, although I do like an ample margin below the name.)

(Snowman: I hope you don't mind me leaning on some of your prior statements to frame this question. I hope to hear your thoughts on this as well.)