Preference: writing or paper loss?

[Sean]

Writing is the lesser of two evils for me.

[ls7plus]

It had better be a very tough card either way, but the extent/size of either is a big factor also.

Best wishes,

Larry

[Jim65]

Paper loss, intentional damage like writing, tack holes, trimming, etc is not generally allowed in my collection unless its a super rare item.

[BearBailey]

Either would make it a no from me. But if i had to choose I’d go with writing.

[CobbSpikedMe]

I'd rather have writing than paper loss personally.

[Chris-Counts]

I don't mind either. Tape stains are OK, too.

[ullmandds]

it really depends on the card...sometimes either can be acceptable...sometimes neither. On this cobb postcard...I don't mind too much!

[ls7plus]

The Dietsch Fielding Pose Cobb is a great acquisition in virtually any condition, Pete. If I didn't have my PSA 5, I'd have bought it and been quite proud to have it in my collection had I seen it at an appropriate price at the right time. I think that card will continue to increase in value for quite some time now, when it has become well-settled that such postcards are indeed baseball cards. Congrats!

May all your collecting bring you the joy that those pieces have,

Larry

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

Either would make it a no from me. But if i had to choose I’d go with writing.

How about a 1917 Felix Mendelsohn M-106 with paper loss not affecting the player's image, Brandon, with there being only four total graded when I bought it several years ago? I admit, I struggled with its' defects also before pulling the trigger, but these cards are so very tough, and with it being a very early, rookie-era Hornsby, I just had to go with it and haven't regretted it. My point is that it becomes something of a balancing act at some point for most of us, depending on the status of the player, and the significance and rarity of the card. But each of us has our own preferences.

Happy collecting and holidays,

Larry

[Jobu]

Sometimes you luck out and get both!! Wait, what was the question again?

[Jobu]

Seriously though, I generally try to avoid both. And there is no blanket answer for me - it depends on where the paper loss and writing are and how each interferes with the overall appeal of the card. Just like in real estate, I say "location, location, location."

[brianp-beme]

I kinda like some nice writing on the back, and am okay if it is extensive as well. I also usually am fine with paper loss, as long as it is not too excessive.

Now if you have a card that has been attached to a wood plague and has had the write-up on the back of card transferred to the back of the plaque and has had a little cross-hatched engraving to boot, well, nothing tops that.

Brian

[bnorth]

Neither bother me if the card is priced accordingly. Here is my 55 Bowman Mickey Mantle with a spec of paper loss on the back.

[ValKehl]

On a blank-back card, I'd rather have paper loss than writing. On a card with bio info or advertising on the back, I'll still take paper loss, but only if it doesn't significantly affect the bio infor or the advertising.

[irv]

Paper loss.

[Sean]

It's hard to see because the scan is too large, but this one has paper loss at the bottom, and beneath it someone wrote Tinker. The paper loss bothers me much more than the writing.

scan0036.jpg

[CobbSpikedMe]

Sean,

That is awesome! I've never seen that one.

[DeanH3]

I'd take writing over paperloss as well. I have cards with both, and writing doesn't seem to be as intrusive. Of course both have extremes that won't work in either case.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Now if you have a card that has been attached to a wood plague and has had the write-up on the back of card transferred to the back of the plaque and has had a little cross-hatched engraving to boot, well, nothing tops that.

Brian

I agree ! - that is way cool Brian. one of the favorite "odd-ball" items I have seen on n54

[Leon]

It depends on where the paper loss or writing is. Paper loss on a blank area is a wonderful money saver for me. Insignificant writing isn't too bad. Paper loss on a crucial area is worse than writing in a crucial area, for my taste.

[Bigdaddy]

In general, I'd say writing, especially on the back, is more acceptable.

Some folks on here actually pay a premium for 'ink' (stamps) on the back of certain older cards as that generally indicates some provenance.