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MWAdam --
I see your point, but consider this. The current dubious (had to beat Leon to it) method of qualifying a card is not sufficient to properly define the number of qualifying defects on a specimen. In other words, if the writing is on the front of a card, if the writing was done in thick black sharpie, if the writing was lightly applied with a #4 pencil, or if the writing obscures important biographical or statistical references on the reverse, it will all be qualified the EXACT SAME WAY by a certain grading company. Without a proper distinction, then, how can a qualifier consistently provide necessary clues to a collector -- especially when faced with a "blind" email or not-so-clear eBay purchase?
My feeling is this -- the Old Judge Series is much different than many 20th century blank-backed issues. And perhaps, because of its popularity and scarcity, pen or pencil marks are accepted more than they otherwise would (or should) be under a value-oriented collecting paradigm. Maybe...perhaps...if the market requires it, I could see a specific "qualification exemption" for the N172 series; but only then, I could see exceptions made for small and relatively unobtrusive marks on the reverse side and nothing else (i.e., Lt MK.).