Impact of Tape Residue

[spartakid8]

Hi,

I’ve been looking for a particular card for some time now. Given my budget, I’m expecting to be in the 2-4 grade for this card. I came across an example which has an immaculate front (probably a 6-7) but on the back there is pretty heavy tape residue which resulted in the overall card getting a 2 grade. I wanted to get the groups thoughts on how heavily you’d weigh the fact that the front is probably as nice a “2” grade as you’ll find vs the residue on the back?

Appreciate any feedback!

[RayBShotz]

My favorite kind of card.

If the front attributes are really strong but the technical grade is the result of a back flaw, I'm all in.
It usually results in a very reasonably priced card.
If you buy it, please show front and back images here.
Good luck.
RayB

[Zach Wheat]

I have no problem buying a lower grade card with a clean front and residue on the reverse.

[JollyElm]

How rarely does the card in the grade you want come up for sale?

If the answer is not too often, and the price is good/decent on this tape-damaged one, I imagine grabbing it to say, "Finally got one!" would be in order. Therefore, you could check it off of your list while looking to upgrade it when the situation presents itself in the future.

[Rhotchkiss]

Generally, we like and buy cards bc of the image on the front. However, in prewar vintage, sometimes the advertisement on the back is what drives the desire to own a card. If your example is the former, then Go For It and don’t look back. You likely got a relative steal based on a technical grade/flaw. However, if your example is the latter, then do not buy a damaged back when the back is the reason to acquire.

[jimq16415]

I think it matters if it's a popular card. If it's a Mantle, Cobb, or something like that there's a better chance of resale later if need be. If it's something that might not have as large of a pool of interested buyers (maybe it's vintage football from an obscure set) and you have to get past the back damage then you might not be able to sell it as quickly if you get a chance to upgrade or if you decide to move on.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Generally, we like and buy cards bc of the image on the front. However, in prewar vintage, sometimes the advertisement on the back is what drives the desire to own a card.

The back advertisement means very little to me. I collect for the player on the front.

[spartakid8]

Originally Posted by RayBShotz

My favorite kind of card.

If the front attributes are really strong but the technical grade is the result of a back flaw, I'm all in.
It usually results in a very reasonably priced card.
If you buy it, please show front and back images here.
Good luck.
RayB

Just added—thank you!

[nwobhm]

The tape residue wouldn’t bother me one bit. The price on the other hand would….unless it’s a great deal I would pass…..inquiring with one of the restoration guys about the possibility of removing that stain may help me pay a little more…wouldn’t bother getting it done but the knowledge could sway me.

[jimq16415]

There's a reason they put the front of the card in the front of the holder. That's a great looking 2. If you waited for another one you might get priced out of anything at all, instead you got a beauty. Congrats!

[FrankWakefield]

A super card!

We're all alike, we like old ball cards; we're all different, we like them in different ways. Not graded or graded, pristine condition or a card we're not afraid to touch. If someone gave me that card, I'd be totally content with it. I might break it out of that holder, but that's a great card.