Cards that CAN and CANNOT be soaked?!

[rhettyeakley]

Derek, soaking 101 is finding the most beat up common from the album of cards and trying a soak on it prior to doing anything with the cards of significant value. Doing a test soak should help you decide if it is possible to soak your Jim Rice out of there without destroying the value of the overall piece.

[h2oya311]

Thanks Rhett - that was going to be the plan but I've never soaked before. I hope it works!

I'll give it a try in a few weeks.

[Vintagecatcher]

One issue you never want to soak is the Fatima T222. I have seen examples which have been soaked, and because they are really photographs the "photograph gloss" is dissolved by the soaking in water.


Patrick

[Eric72]

Gentlemen (and the few ladies on this board),

Out of curiosity, why is soaking a card acceptable while other alterations are, according to some members of Net54, verboten?

I considered soaking a card...once. After realizing what it would likely do to a T206 with a back stamp and (let's call it) a sticker, I quickly backed off.

Upon further reflection, I am curious as to why this particular form of, "card doctoring" is OK with some who would cry, "foul" under other circumstances. In the grand scheme of things, it seems about the same as taking an eraser to a pencil mark or ironing out the crease in a silk.

Just curious...although I imagine a Net54 beat-down is coming my way for suggesting that soaking a card is unethical.

Best regards,

Eric

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Gentlemen (and the few ladies on this board),

Out of curiosity, why is soaking a card acceptable while other alterations are, according to some members of Net54, verboten?

I considered soaking a card...once. After realizing what it would likely do to a T206 with a back stamp and (let's call it) a sticker, I quickly backed off.

Upon further reflection, I am curious as to why this particular form of, "card doctoring" is OK with some who would cry, "foul" under other circumstances. In the grand scheme of things, it seems about the same as taking an eraser to a pencil mark or ironing out the crease in a silk.

Just curious...although I imagine a Net54 beat-down is coming my way for suggesting that soaking a card is unethical.

Best regards,

Eric

No idea why but it is a double standard. Personally, I don't have a problem with altered cards as long as they are sold as such.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

No idea why but it is a double standard. Personally, I don't have a problem with altered cards as long as they are sold as such.

Alex,

I have no problem with people selling, when properly advertised, altered cards, and agree with you regarding them being sold as such. As a matter of fact, I purchased a trimmed T206 earlier today and was quite grateful for the seller following through on the transaction.

In some cases, the restoration makes the particular issue look remarkably better. What I take issue with is the nonchalant soaking of cards by a great many people who do not disclose this when selling the card.

I may be wrong here...however...do not remember many auctions that state, "hey, this used to have XXX on it, but I soaked the card and now it's gone."

Just my two cents...and please know that I am not attacking you, personally.

Best,

Eric

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Alex,

I have no problem with people selling, when properly advertised, altered cards, and agree with you regarding them being sold as such. As a matter of fact, I purchased a trimmed T206 earlier today and was quite grateful for the seller following through on the transaction.

In some cases, the restoration makes the particular issue look remarkably better. What I take issue with is the nonchalant soaking of cards by a great many people who do not disclose this when selling the card.

I may be wrong here...however...do not remember many auctions that state, "hey, this used to have XXX on it, but I soaked the card and now it's gone."

Just my two cents...and please know that I am not attacking you, personally.

Best,

Eric

No offense taken. I think we have had this conversation before on the board and people seem to have strong opinions on both sides.

[bbcard1]

[QUOTE=Eric72;1246834]Gentlemen (and the few ladies on this board),

Out of curiosity, why is soaking a card acceptable while other alterations are, according to some members of Net54, verboten?


I don't make the double standards, I just abide by them.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I don't make the double standards, I just abide by them.

Why? To me, it just seems like card doctoring.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Why? To me, it just seems like card doctoring.

Generally speaking soaking a card removes things that aren't meant to be there and weren't there when the card was made. Most collectors don't have a problem because it isn't altering the original composition of the card (though I guess that could be argued). Also, erasing an errant mark isn't as taboo as it might should be. Same philosophy though.

As someone said, I don't make the double standards, I just go by them (love that saying)....

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Gentlemen (and the few ladies on this board),

Out of curiosity, why is soaking a card acceptable while other alterations are, according to some members of Net54, verboten?

I considered soaking a card...once. After realizing what it would likely do to a T206 with a back stamp and (let's call it) a sticker, I quickly backed off.

Upon further reflection, I am curious as to why this particular form of, "card doctoring" is OK with some who would cry, "foul" under other circumstances. In the grand scheme of things, it seems about the same as taking an eraser to a pencil mark or ironing out the crease in a silk.

Just curious...although I imagine a Net54 beat-down is coming my way for suggesting that soaking a card is unethical.

Best regards,

Eric

I can only speak for myself. I have no problem with soaking as long as it is to remove dirt/stains/musty smell and not ink.

I recently soaked a few 60's Batman, spook stories, and monster laffs that really smelled bad. The soaking removed some dirt and lessened the wrinkles a little. The big benefit for me was it got rid of the horrible musty smell.

[Cardboard Junkie]

"The reason that it is acceptable is that it alters nothing from the card itself."
Incorrect, soaking changes the ph of the card. Search "Pyrolysis" in 54's search feature to find why soaking a card is detrimental.Dave.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

"The reason that it is acceptable is that it alters nothing from the card itself."
Incorrect, soaking changes the ph of the card. Search "Pyrolysis" in 54's search feature to find why soaking a card is detrimental.Dave.

With pyrolysis you are making the assumption that one is using HOT water or steam to do the deed, that is not necessary.