Pencil marks and grading redux

[Cardboard Junkie]

Marks of graphite, (primarily a lubricant) Cannot be erased without a trace. Perhaps without a trace to the naked eye, but under magnification and the correct light it would be detectable. It is altered regardless if detectable or not. There are those that say it is ok. I think it is altering the card. There are also those that think soaking in H2O is ok to clean, this is wrong. When a card is soaked the ph of the paper is changed unless other chemicals are added, making it prone to rapid pyrolysis. Upon testing, soaking can be detected also, it is another kind of "altering" that some accept, I do not.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Marks of graphite, (primarily a lubricant) Cannot be erased without a trace. Perhaps without a trace to the naked eye, but under magnification and the correct light it would be detectable. It is altered regardless if detectable or not. There are those that say it is ok. I think it is altering the card. There are also those that think soaking in H2O is ok to clean, this is wrong. When a card is soaked the ph of the paper is changed unless other chemicals are added, making it prone to rapid pyrolysis. Upon testing, soaking can be detected also, it is another kind of "altering" that some accept, I do not.

I am in complete disagreement with almost everything you said. Besides that you are wrong in saying that a pencil mark can't be erased without leaving a trace. Very light ones can be removed with no trace. And quite easily I might add. I, and many other hobbyists, have no issue with removing a mark or soaking a card. It's ok to most hobbyists.

One more addition- Bill, I have several of those Staedler (sp)? art gum erasers on my desk, always. They work like a charm and are cheap.

[Republicaninmass]

Buy the card, not the holder.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Leon

I, and many other hobbyists, have no issue with removing a mark or soaking a card. It's ok to most hobbyists..

+1 -- and if you collect hoping your prewar cards haven't been soaked or erased, good luck to you. Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

+1 -- and if you collect hoping your prewar cards haven't been soaked or erased, good luck to you. Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.

I'm not saying soaking or erasing marks are wrong or right, but I'm not sure anyone really referred to believing or not believing their cards have or have not been soaked before. Dave seemed to make some really good points and opinions on the matter that seem valid. Whether one or several people in the hobby believe these actions are acceptable, doesn't make them ethical. To be clear on the matter, I'm not on either side per se, but just acknowledging Dave's points as well put.

This response wasn't meant to disrespect you in any way, Paul, but just give my opinion on the matter