54 Topps torn edge look?

[Paul S]

Welcome, Joe.

I'll assume you mean that deckled look on the side borders.

My own conjecture: 52 and 53 Ts normally all have four white borders. 54s never have a white border on top, at least as far as I have seen. I think the 54 sheet was poorly layed out, and/or the person/cutter who previously and nicely lined up the machinery for earlier issues was off that week.. Dull blades, maybe? Just speculation. Still, weird to not have four white borders.

Anyone have a 54T sheet to post?

[Brianruns10]

Could be a number of factors. Could be the color. 53 Topps are notorious for chipping at the corner where the color bleeds all the way to edge.

Could also be paper/card stock. The 52 series printed on white stock, to my eye, seem to exhibit more of this tearing than other series which by and large seem to cut pretty cleanly.

[savedfrommyspokes]

These 54s appear to look like many of the OPC issues from the late 60s and 70s that are poorly cut...in both cases it is likely due to the blade on the cutting equipment that was being used to cut these cards was not sharp enough. Try using a paper cutter that is sharp versus one that is not sharp...the less sharp cutter will "bevel' the paper along the edge of the cut.

[67_Palmer]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Welcome, Joe.

I'll assume you mean that deckled look on the side borders.

My own conjecture: 52 and 53 Ts normally all have four white borders. 54s never have a white border on top, at least as far as I have seen. I think the 54 sheet was poorly layed out, and/or the person/cutter who previously and nicely lined up the machinery for earlier issues was off that week.. Dull blades, maybe? Just speculation. Still, weird to not have four white borders.

Anyone have a 54T sheet to post?

Actually the names Ken, and thanks for the welcome.

Yeah deckled edge is probably a better was of describing it. I've always wondered what caused that. Dull bladde sounds like as good excuse as any.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by 67_Palmer

Actually the names Ken, and thanks for the welcome.

Yeah deckled edge is probably a better was of describing it. I've always wondered what caused that. Dull bladde sounds like as good excuse as any.

Sorry, Everbody is a Joe to me until I learn their name.

I really like the rough cut. Gives the card some character. To me, the only disatisfaction is when those cuts start gathering dirtiness. But even then, still cool but lesser grade, which is not necessarily a concern for me.

[hangman62]

54T, 55T, 56T,..Im pretty sure a dull cutting knife could also have a negitve effect on a mans hair piece, the horse hair tends to curl at the ends

[67_Palmer]

Ha!

[KCRfan1]

The cards from the early 50's were cut with a virbating wire ( like a jig saw ). When the wire began to get loose or worn, the cut was/became rough. I can't speak for later years, perhaps Topps was still using the same equipment in the early 70's. From what I have read, a rough cut does not effect the grade of the card since a rough cut is not out of the norm and at times expected for the issued cards.

[hangman62]

Yes, thats true..in the early days Topps factory did you a "jig saw" type blade to seperate the cards. It was very similar to a " wig saw" blade that they use to cut and shape mens hair pieces