Posted By:
only_child"I’m more just wondering if this is ever going to develop beyond what’s currently transpiring?? Perhaps into something truly educational for us all?"
Actually #’s 1 and 2 are very close. The subject of card alterations is very broad and covers a lot of territory. I find it exhausting to write posts all day, besides I have a family, a job, some medical issues, a Titanic collection business (shameless plug TitanicItems.com), and examine and/or experiment with cards almost every day.
John your questions are great and very valid. It’s just tough to respond so quickly with so much info. Also more informed posts lead to more questions. I’m trying my best! They will come. I also need to be very careful, it freaks me out that some punk will view this information as inspirational and use it as a stepping stone.
Writing a book on this subject is not as easy as it sounds, plus I consider myself the village idiot and no writer. I will go into details and give plenty of pics on what to look for. I want to keep it like a pocket guide so that collectors can bring it with them to shows and stores. I’m hoping for under 100 pages. Damn, the first 20 pages is on trimming alone though. I'm debating about even finishing it or writing it at all.
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“what if it really is possible to trim a card in such a way that it's impossible to determine when it was done?”
Hate to bum you out but it can be done. Matter of fact, I just did it the other day in front of a grader to show him how it’s done. I call it untrimming or undoctoring (doctoring a doctored card). It’s a trick (dare I call it a skill?) all to itself in alterations.
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"even Kevin agrees that PSA "ignores the subject" while SGC "doesn't need much assistance at the moment." If you would just have all of your cards reviewed by SGC, you could ferret out many of those alterations."
No comment but that really was not what was implied.
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"Mike is not only the best grader in the hobby but he is open and willing to learn....and Kevin has plenty to teach--may have some further observations after I speak with Dr. Kevin(as he calls himself)"
I consider Mike a good friend and has a wealth of information he shares freely. Sure, I show him all the techniques but in reality I learn from him. Others may not agree but I feel he one most "trusted professionals" in the hobby.
Not sure if I ever called myself Dr. Kevin, although I have been called "doc" but only because I was a firefighter/paramedic.
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"Why give it away for free when you can float it out there on this forum and get an idea of how much $$ can be made by writing a book about the subject."
You're thinking with your wallet LOL. Let's be realistic. If I crossed over to the dark side, I could make more money from doctoring just a few cards....hell, one card.