What constitutes a perfectly centered T206?

[mechanicalman]

All: relatively new collector with what seems like a simple question, though I heard some different answers at the last National. I'm sure this has been discussed here previously, but still want to pose the question:

How does one define a perfectly centered T206 as you look at the top and bottom borders? Should they be equal in height, or should the bottom border be slightly taller to allow for the name/team to be centered within the border?

For the record, I find both of these instances to be appealing; I'm just wondering how they were intended to be cut. Any visual examples are appreciated. Thanks for the thoughts.

[T206Collector]

It's a good question. I think that my Engle has what I would consider to be centering that is just about right.



For whatever it's worth, I personally have more tolerance on top-bottom off-center...




...than left-right off-center, which I find distracting:

[Cozumeleno]

Just my opinion, but I'd say the bottom border should be larger as the case in the Engle scan below. To me, the white space between the top of the photo/top edge and the bottom of the text (text, not the photo)/bottom edge should be equal.

Those (top of photo, bottom of text) were the printing parameters, so that's what the centering should be based on.

[mechanicalman]

Thanks for your response, guys. I agree that the Engle represents what looks like the perfectly centered T206. But I still wouldn't be upset with something like this (not my card. Scan from eBay)

[CW]

The idea of perfect t/b centering on a T206 could also vary from card to card, depending on if the name was printed high or low. Notice in these two examples how the Baker name is printed high, while the Lajoie name is printed lower. Both of these cards have perfect t/b centering to my eye.

[JustinD]

To me, I consider the Engle example perfectly centered as I consider the text to be part of the graphic. I think this does fall under personal preference.

I would like to know how the major grading companies judge this out of curiousity.