W551 Ruth Strip card questions

[frankh8147]

Congrats on the pick-up! I have always been a fan of Babe's early strip cards; it's a great way to get a nice looking early Ruth. That said, I really don't think you will a higher grade than this if there is soiling. The right edge seems 'wavy' and combined with the crease and soiling, I really think that's about the highest you will get grade-wise. Maybe a better scan would change my mind but from what I see, that was an appropriate, if not generous grade.

Originally Posted by frankh8147

Congrats on the pick-up! I have always been a fan of Babe's early strip cards; it's a great way to get a nice looking early Ruth. That said, I really don't think you will a higher grade than this if there is soiling. The right edge seems 'wavy' and combined with the crease and soiling, I really think that's about the highest you will get grade-wise. Maybe a better scan would change my mind but from what I see, that was an appropriate, if not generous grade.

Thanks Frank. I'm wondering if slightly trimming down the right edge might make a difference in terms of eye appeal and whether or not it's even ethical? Obviously the crease and soiling (its just a bit dingy) in the upper left aren't going anywhere, nor is the card itself. This is more of an OCD issue than anything, although I want to be able to maintain size requirements for numeric grade, as an "authentic" grade would be far uglier to me than SGC 20 with a fugly right edge.

[steve B]

I'd say the same.

It's a nice looking card for the technical grade, and while fixing the right edge might make it more attractive to some it's also a risk of downgrading to an "A" grade. The crease and soiling should keep it out of much beyond a 30.

I'm not sure if there's a fixed size, handcut stuff usually has to have any printed borders present to get a number. I don't think that set had printed dividers, so they might go with having at least half of the distance between cards present. So if the distance between card images on an uncut strip is 1/4 inch there has to be at least 1/8 on each side or to be generous, 1/4 total between right and left margins. (And this is just how I'd do it - a grading co may not do it the same way)

With strip cards I actually like to see oversize somewhat crooked borders.

Steve B

Originally Posted by steve B

I'd say the same.

It's a nice looking card for the technical grade, and while fixing the right edge might make it more attractive to some it's also a risk of downgrading to an "A" grade. The crease and soiling should keep it out of much beyond a 30.

I'm not sure if there's a fixed size, handcut stuff usually has to have any printed borders present to get a number. I don't think that set had printed dividers, so they might go with having at least half of the distance between cards present. So if the distance between card images on an uncut strip is 1/4 inch there has to be at least 1/8 on each side or to be generous, 1/4 total between right and left margins. (And this is just how I'd do it - a grading co may not do it the same way)

With strip cards I actually like to see oversize somewhat crooked borders.

Steve B

Gotcha, in other words "respect the cut". I appreciate your opinion.

[Leon]

I am in the "their strip cards so hand cut is fine" camp....