Posted By:
HansIt's always been interesting to me that when Art is restored it's considered "preservation". The same thing goes for rare documents (i.e. the museum is restoring their copy of the Constitution), but in the card field it is heavily frowned upon.
There was a major lot in the original Barry Halper collection that had been restored, then "unrestored" because it knocked down the value of the item.
As far as the grading companies "missing" things. I once submitted a card that was 35 years old, and fresh from a pack that I had bought from a woman who had a bunch of them. I submitted this card, with many others to a "well-known" grading company and they all came back as trimmed. So after much discussion, and showing them the wrapper, as well as several other unopened packs they decided to recant upon their decision (although instead of an 8-9-10, I received 6's). You should buy cards because you like what you're buying, set a price you think is reasonable, and don't pay more for it, unless you have to have it.
The one thing I'm most taken back by on this board is the 1952 mantle, that was slammed, and then the portrayal of it as a high dollar card on a well known auction site. I'm sure there is some bad blood here, but when you make a mistake you have to swallow it, and learn from it, not just look for the next patsy.
All you have in this life is your name.
Hans