Hey, pennant guys

[perezfan]

Condition is a topic that's very near and dear to my heart. I've learned that it differs for many collectors, and that I'm pickier than most. But here is how I see it...

Acceptable/Expected:
* Pin or small nail holes (but not right up against a border)
* Puckering and/or slight cracking to the painted graphics
* Very minor surface soiling or fading
* One tassel (but not both) missing from either the top or bottom
* Loose stitching to spine, at very top or bottom
* Blunt (but not torn) Tip... many were simply made that way

Not Acceptable:
* Rips or Tears anywhere on the pennant (especially those that emanate from any border).
* Holes 1/4" diameter or larger
* Any holes close enough to a border that they're in danger of tearing through to the edge
* Ink writing anywhere on front of pennant (reverse side is ok, as long as it doesn't show through)
* Any alteration... especially when someone tried to re-create a pointed tip.
* Significant surface soiling/toning/fading
* Both tassels missing from either the top or the bottom


I can make exceptions for exceedingly rare pennants or oversized pennants from the teens. But otherwise, those are my guidelines. Eager to hear from others!

[perezfan]

And then this leads to "What constitutes restoration" and what does not...

My view is as follows...

Not Acceptable Restoration:
* Cutting or trimming anywhere on the pennant
* Coloring in missing portions of painted graphics
* Filling in holes with felt from another "donor" pennant
* Replacing, re-stitching or re-gluing the pennant's spine.
* And yes, I'd say that bleaching is alteration as well... albeit a slightly "lesser evil", perhaps.

Acceptable:
* Dabbing or cleaning of excess dust, dirt, grime, etc. with a cloth or towel
* Removal of Pet Hair or Dust with tape or a lint roller
* Ironing out excess wrinkles/creases (done from reverse side)

If any of the above practices deemed "Not Acceptable" are done, I feel it is incumbent upon the Seller to disclose them.
Just my opinions.... others will vary

[yankeesjetsfan]

For me, since I am a beginner at collecting pennants, I will pretty much add any pennants to my collection unless its really dirty, bent badly, torn or the pin holes are noticeable. I can always upgrade when funds are available.

Mike

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by perezfan

And then this leads to "What constitutes restoration" and what does not...

My view is as follows...

Not Acceptable Restoration:
* Cutting or trimming anywhere on the pennant
* Coloring in missing portions of painted graphics
* Filling in holes with felt from another "donor" pennant
* Replacing, re-stitching or re-gluing the pennant's spine.
* And yes, I'd say that bleaching is alteration as well... albeit a slightly "lesser evil", perhaps.

Acceptable:
* Dabbing or cleaning of excess dust, dirt, grime, etc. with a cloth or towel
* Removal of Pet Hair or Dust with tape or a lint roller
* Ironing out excess wrinkles/creases (done from reverse side)

If any of the above practices deemed "Not Acceptable" are done, I feel it is incumbent upon the Seller to disclose them.
Just my opinions.... others will vary

Would you pay more for an all original 68 Camaro that looks terrible, doesn't run and sits like a paperweight in your driveway or one that's fully restored?

This is an interesting topic to me as well as I've often wondered about making repairs, outside of just cleaning/bleaching. Do you think a rare pennant with a rip in it, is more valuable or desirable with the rip left as is, or if it was stitched shut?

As far as unacceptable restoration for me...Mark's first 3 bullets definitely hit the mark (no pun intended). Those are all deal breakers for me. Bullets 4 and 5 however, wouldn't turn me off. It would be virtually impossible to tell if a spine has been restitched anyway...unless it was done very amateurishly. Bleaching doesn't really bother me either. Would you lose interest in the 68 Camaro because the seller didn't leave on 50 years of dirt?

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Condition is a topic that's very near and dear to my heart. I've learned that it differs for many collectors, and that I'm pickier than most. But here is how I see it...

Acceptable/Expected:
* Pin or small nail holes (but not right up against a border)
* Puckering and/or slight cracking to the painted graphics
* Very minor surface soiling or fading
* One tassel (but not both) missing from either the top or bottom
* Loose stitching to spine, at very top or bottom
* Blunt (but not torn) Tip... many were simply made that way

Not Acceptable:
* Rips or Tears anywhere on the pennant (especially those that emanate from any border).
* Holes 1/4" diameter or larger
* Any holes close enough to a border that they're in danger of tearing through to the edge
* Ink writing anywhere on front of pennant (reverse side is ok, as long as it doesn't show through)
* Any alteration... especially when someone tried to re-create a pointed tip.
* Significant surface soiling/toning/fading
* Both tassels missing from either the top or the bottom


I can make exceptions for exceedingly rare pennants or oversized pennants from the teens. But otherwise, those are my guidelines. Eager to hear from others!

I agree for the most part. Tassels to me, however, are no big deal. If I see I pennant I want, I can't remember ever thinking "if only it had tassels". It just doesn't bother me...in fact, I've removed the tassels from pennants that had some missing or had badly mangled ones.

Writing or the recreation of a pointy tip are deal breakers. I bought a rare early 70's Giants (football) pennant a couple months back that looked fine in the pictures. But when I held it in my hand, it was obvious the tip was shave into a false point. I got it for a great price and now I knew why. I guess the seller thought the price told the story, so he didn't have to. There was no mention of it in the listing.

I've noticed puckering on a few of my pennants (typically 1960's pennants) and wondered what caused that. It's usually near the spine, so thought maybe a production error? Or maybe the pennant was washed in someway and shrunk? What's the explanation on that?