Holmes to Homes Joe Jackson

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Posted By: Louis Bollman

Just my two cents, for whatever they are worth:

1) Scanners, especially ones some use for Ebay lie. I personally have fielded my share of e-mails regarding graded cards I've had on Ebay. "How could a card get X grade with such a <insert flaw here>?" Many times I've pulled the card out for inspection in order to answer the question only to find that the flaw is nowhere near as bad as it showed up on the original scan. Take into that the fact that the surfaces of M101-4's, M101-5's, and the such have a layer of gloss that can be very reflective coupled with the fact that scanners and photography use intense lighting. I would think (in fact I know) that the same exact flaw can look two or more different ways using the same scanner; could look a heck of a lot different using two completely processes. I'm sure Rob uses much different equipment than the average Ebay seller. I can't say that I come across many M101-4's or M101-5's "in the wild", that said, I did see many failed attempts at this type of alteration during my tour of duty as the "goal keeper" of the card department at Mastro's. Many were attempts at consigning (after Mastro's had them graded) and, quite frankly, they were never even close to being considered by myself, Bill Mastro, or others on staff to even be submitted for grading. In my opinion, I trust the graders at SGC more than I trust scanners or other digital photography equipment.

2) You can buy screw down type holders for Baseball cards just about anywhere. I can't imagine the size of the rock a person would have to be living under to not know of Joe Jackson (we'll assume the original owner knew nothing of the significance of Holmes to Homes). These holders can often leave a card with a pressed look at the edges/corners. I have not seen the card in person so I do not even know if this card has "the look". Again, if it was a pronounced pressing look I doubt SGC would grade the card; they happen to be hypersensitive to alteration matters.


Louis Bollman
louis@louisbollman

ps. I guess I'm adding one more penny to my original two cents. Judging from the original scan, I can't see where altering the card would raise the card from the current SGC grade. Nor can I see the card, as originally scanned for Ebay, would be cause for a grade lower than that given by SGC.