Advice about recent antique store purchase

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Posted By: Pete Z.

I bought this card at an antiques store with the intent to flip it on ebay for a profit. My question is should I sell it as is or should I attempt to erase the price and initials? I know this is a non-sports card, but similar issues arise with vintage sports cards as well. Also, any recommendations on how to best erase the price and initials, knowing that any method will not be beyond detection by grading companies, would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Pete

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Posted By: dennis

sell as is, let buyer do what he wants.

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Posted By: Tony Andrea

Definately leave it. Since your looking to turn it, let the buyer mess with it if desired.
Probably would do more damage than good.

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Posted By: BlackSoxFan

Hey, I understand why you are asking the question but as an active auctioneer myself, i just want to chime in. I think it is a reasonable and fair question you are asking. You essentially have two choices as i see it.

A) Attempt to remove the damage from the card. However, you will need to mention in the the auction description that the markings where there upon purchase. You as the seller are obligated to provide all pertinent information during the lots' listing on eBay. Due diligence in other words.
B) Sell it as is.

I would lean toward B myself. I know that it offers the possibility of a smaller sale price than A, but it will help to avoid any potential problems you might have with a buyer. Some people would look at erasing as a shady and less than honorable sales tactic. I believe if a card has ever been placed in an album and shows residue, has been writen on, or any alteration has been made, that the card needs to be left in that state. Just my 2 cents though! I think it's great that you ask.

Regards,
Black Sox Fan

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Posted By: leon

Personally I would take my Mars Plastic eraser to that pencil mark and in about 30 seconds...viola...no mark...and by the looks of that particular mark there won't be an indention left either. The technical grade would go up a grade, or so, also. I firmly believe that if you can remove something that wasn't supposed to be there in the first place...and it has no real vintage value ie....Buck Barker sig, scoring from a game etc...then it's better not to have it. One of my fave Old Judges- Comisky Brownie Champ came in a PSA 6 MK holder. I cracked it, Mars Plastic erasered the pencil mark on it, and now it's in an SGC 80 holder. If the mark wasn't intended to be there and you can get it off without nary a hint of it ever being there...then I don't even feel full disclosure is needed. I realize I might be in the minority here but hey....that's part of what makes collecting interesting.....regards

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Posted By: jay behrens

I am guilty of erasing pencil. I've done it becuase I know tha with a good art eraser, you can remove most light pencil marks without any hint of the pencil ever touching the card. Inthe case where they pressed hard, you are out of luck. Iw ould so recomend praticing erasing. This may sound silly, but you need to make sure you don't press so hard as to abrade the paper and tear it up, thus leaving a mark where the pencil used to be.

I'm with Leon, removing a light pencil mark, a fleck of tobacco, glue, or whatever that was not intentended to be there is no big deal.

Jay

My place is full of valuable, worthless junk.

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Posted By: Phil Michel

If compelled to erase...I learned this from a paper conservator.

Use a fine grater to make tiny crumbles from your art eraser. Pile the crumbles onto the card and use the flat side of the eraser to roll the crumbles around the surface of the card. Only apply as much pressure as needed. Little by little you'll see the crumbles turning darker as they pick up the pencil and other surface dirt.

The indirect rubbing reduces the chance that you'll abrade the surface of the paper, overheat the surface with friction (causing a sheen), or accidentally catch the edge of the card while rubbing. Use a camel's hair brush or new paintbrush to clean off the crumbles when done.

Make sure to clean your grater when done or your nachos won't taste so good next time.

=Phil