"Untrimming" a card!

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Posted By: Mike P.

I have this T206 G.Brown (Washington) that looks great. Here is the issue, this was recently rejected by SGC as evidence of trimming on the top edge. I am not 100% convinced it is trimmed(maybe I'm being gullible or in denial). It measures fine(which I know is not really an indicator of a card being trimmed)and I actually plan to send it back in for another shot. If it comes back as evidence of trimming again I will probably just accept the fact. I have looked at it under a 10X loupe and I can see very small fibers here and there. I did email SGC to ask what they look at and I was told "striations" on the edges. I wonder if these are the "striations" he speaks of. I have looked at a few other cards that I own and I can also notice these fibers. I will say that the fibers on the top edge seem to be a little more abundant. Now, if I still want to keep this card and get it slabbed would it be unethical and/or beneficial to lightly scuff the top edge and get rid of whatever "evidence" the card has?

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Posted By: robert a

Hi Mike.
The top border looks like it has been trimmed to me too. In my opinion, it's easier to tell from the back of the card.
It would be unethical to try to untrim it.
It's a great card, don't make alterations on it. Leave it unslabbed.

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Unethical? There are no ethics in baseball cards. Whatever crap you can get them to certify is fair game.

This is the weakness of the slabheads.

Only the educated collector has a chance. Alas, I keep losing ground in my education. There are more tricks than I will ever be able to keep up with.

You would have to be a full time compulsive student to keep on top of this game (or so it seems).

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Posted By: Robert

The card looks trimmed to me..the top is rounded and slanted. Slanted is alright as long as the bottom is slanted the same way.

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Posted By: Mike P.

Thanks for the replies. I plan to keep the card no matter what. I just thought it would look nicer in a SGC slab. Here is a back scan if anyone thinks this will help in opinions.

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Posted By: robert a

Gilbert.
I'm honestly not even sure what your post means?
robert

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Posted By: Mike P.

Looking at these scanned bigger does make it look more obvious that the card is trimmed! Looking at it in hand and even with a loupe you can't even notice it.

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Posted By: Paul

It is my understanding (though I could be wrong) that "striations" are a series of parallel diagonal lines or indentations on the edge of the card. These are formed during the cutting proces. When a card is trimmed using scissors or a razor, the scissors and razor do not leave a new set of striations. They are left on the cutting room floor. Rubbing the top of the card will only remove whatever striations remain. It will not restore them.

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Posted By: WP

The top edge on the card pictured is clearly uneven and appears trimmed.

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Posted By: JimB

The card looks trimmed to me on the top. The top edge is curved. It is a nice card though. I would leave it as is, or if you really want it slabbed, ask if they will put it in an "authentic" holder. There are ethics in baseball cards and attempting deception crosses the line in my opinion.
JimB

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Posted By: tbob

Multiple submissions should take care of your problem and get it graded.

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Posted By: Hexus22

Geez, it kinda looks like it is trimmed, and the border looks really thin. I think the picture could of been printed a bit slanted, so it looks trimmed.

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Posted By: Bill Kasel

They'll grade anything! Just look....Vic on SlimFast