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E, DanielI think the last post by Joe Brennan of his EL Principe De Gales illustrates exactly what makes me cringe about soaking.
Taking a good look at the card, up the left edge and around the top left corner, and across on the top right corner, the card looks totally different.
The top left edge/corner is SO much straighter and without the obvious nicks and damage of the pre - soaked version....and similarly on the right top corner - you wouldn't think it was the same corner if Joe wasn't saying it was so (go on Joe, say it aint.....), funnily enough though it looks more lifted post soaking (surprise surprise that soaking paper in water that is made of layers would cause lifting) and with a crease across it you don't see in the first scan. Top edge also looks different.
To me, that is not just removing some back paper and glue, that is significantly altering the cards presentation and physical state, including corners, edges, and surface.
JMO.
Daniel