Feedback on a 51 Mays

[Wanaselja]

A close friend of mine who generally focuses on modern cards has been getting the vintage itch. As I have a little more experience in the vintage market he’s been asking my opinion on cards. There’s a big ticket item he asked me to look at and I’m not sure if I see a red flag or not. If I post an image would you guys be willing to weigh in? I’ll crop the label out of the photo. I don’t know if I’m being overly cautious on his behalf or if it’s a legitimate concern.

Thanks. Adam.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Wanaselja

A close friend of mine who generally focuses on modern cards has been getting the vintage itch. As I have a little more experience in the vintage market he’s been asking my opinion on cards. There’s a big ticket item he asked me to look at and I’m not sure if I see a red flag or not. If I post an image would you guys be willing to weigh in? I’ll crop the label out of the photo. I don’t know if I’m being overly cautious on his behalf or if it’s a legitimate concern.

Thanks. Adam.

I'm sure many will weigh in. Post up a pic and the reason(s) for your concern.

[Wanaselja]

The gap on the left side. I don’t see the dog ears at the corners but the gap is larger than others I’ve seen on this card. I know there’s a size variation but didn’t know if there was anything else a more experienced eye might pick up. I don’t know what to look for specifically on edges for evidence of trimming.

Thanks.


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[irv]

Originally Posted by Wanaselja

The gap on the left side. I don’t see the dog ears at the corners but the gap is larger than others I’ve seen on this card. I know there’s a size variation but didn’t know if there was anything else a more experienced eye might pick up. I don’t know what to look for specifically on edges for evidence of trimming.

Thanks.


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I'm sorry I can't offer you any help but this thread should I assume?
Good luck.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=207739

[111gecko]

Isn’t it already in a holder?

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by 111gecko

Isn’t it already in a holder?

It is, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not altered. I looked through some Blowout threads on altered, graded cards but didn’t find this one.

[111gecko]

Every high end card has been altered. Just my 2 cents. Looks like a nice Mays though.

[Tao_Moko]

The card should not be smaller than 2 1/16" x 3 1/8". Seeing a scan of the back might help. Doesn't look obviously trimmed to me. I'd think if it measures then it's just the case.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by Tao_Moko

The card should not be smaller than 2 1/16" x 3 1/8". Seeing a scan of the back might help. Doesn't look obviously trimmed to me. I'd think if it measures then it's just the case.

I don’t have access to it to measure but this is the back.


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[swarmee]

If you're willing to take the time on a possible wild goose chase, the way the blowout guys have proven so many altered cards is by comparing the print fibers on the back of the card to all the other previously sold cards and then comparing the size that way.
So the vertical black fiber to the top left of Outfield and the vertical lines in the A, second B, and second A in BASEBALL may be markers you can you use analyze other cards with to match to this card's fingerprint.

You can also email some of the blowout guys in the signature on their posts and they will give your card a look before you purchase.

[Bigdaddy]

To me, from the photos, this card looks trimmed.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

To me, from the photos, this card looks trimmed.

What are you seeing that gives you that impression? Just for my own learning experience.

[JollyElm]

How are you with photoshop?
I would find a whole bunch of (similarly oriented) 1951 Mays cards, download the pics, and then resize each one to make the images of Willie himself identical to each other. Then you can either put them in a column and look at the sizing of each one (does 'yours' look distinctly shorter than some or all of the others, etc.) to see if they generally match.

(Check out this thread to see what I am referring to: https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=226221)

Or you can lay each card on top of the others, align the pics of Mays, and then do a hide/show to see if 'yours' appears trimmed in comparison. Does that make sense?? It's how I create animated gifs now and again.

To be sure, it won't prove or disprove whether or not the cared has been trimmed, but it will certainly give you enough insight to either feel comfortable or make you head for the hills.

[chalupacollects]

You can also try running the card through VCP, look through past auctions and see if you can find the cert number. If its passed through any of the known trimmers hands and or PWCC then you have your answer... looks nice though!

Also check past ebay auctions, 130point.com and watchcount.com

Also google the cert number, might be quicker than searching BO threads

See if you can get it measured!

[rats60]

It looks small in the holder, but there was a PSA 3 that sold on eBay this month that had a similar gap. I think the only way to know is the have it in hand and measure it. If it comes up small, I would say it was most likely trimmed.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Wanaselja

What are you seeing that gives you that impression? Just for my own learning experience.

First of all, the gap in the holder. Then looking at the card, I see some surface wear (near the knob on the bat, the nameplate), but the corners and edges seem too sharp for a card with that amount of wear. Also, in general, the corners and specifically the top/bottom and left/right edges just seem too sharp. I'd want to see it in hand and measure the card and the borders.

Just my opinion from looking at a couple of photos.