Edges too clean?

[Tomi]

Originally Posted by irv

Just throwing this out there.
Because OPC used a slitter machine that I believe used knives, (or something similar), as more and more cards went through this machine, the knives became duller and duller, which, of course, led to the rough edges/cuts.
But because, likely at the start of a shift, those knives were likely sharp, would that not account for some non rough cut OPC cards that were the first off this machine at the start of a new shift?

The only other thing I can think of as a possibility is that this card is a sheet cut card but I have read/heard PSA won't grade those?
How they can differentiate between the 2 is beyond me, but I have read they don't, or don't any longer.

Hi Irv. I posted on Blowout but I would rather post here also in case some are not on there. OPC cards were cut in London Ontario using wires where as Topps cards were cut in New York using as cutter blade. Hope this helps in the OPC rough cut discussion. Blades don't leave rough cuts the way wires do.

[goldenage]

Originally Posted by Tomi

Hi Irv. I posted on Blowout but I would rather post here also in case some are not on there. OPC cards were cut in London Ontario using wires where as Topps cards were cut in New York using as cutter blade. Hope this helps in the OPC rough cut discussion. Blades don't leave rough cuts the way wires do.

Which makes one wonder where some of the OPC cards from the beginning were cut.

1968 opc has plenty of clean edges.

1969 opc 2nd series has plenty of cards with clean edges that came from vending.

1970 opc 2nd series has plenty of cards with clean edges (no wire cut) that came from 2nd series vending.

1973 opc light backs all have clean edges that came from vending. The dark backs have ragged cuts and came from wax packs.

The theory is that Topps was doing all the orders for Gellman (SP ?) who was the main distributed of opc hockey cards here in the states back then. Why fill this Americans order by doing all the printing in cutting in Canada when you could just get the plates and do the printing and cutting here in the states.

That's the theory anyway, but has never been proven. The question that can be asked though is if OPC, London Ontario did use a wire cutter that produced all the rough cuts, then why do so many cards from those years all have nice, sharp edges and corners like a regular Topps baseball, football, or hockey card.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Tomi

Hi Irv. I posted on Blowout but I would rather post here also in case some are not on there. OPC cards were cut in London Ontario using wires where as Topps cards were cut in New York using as cutter blade. Hope this helps in the OPC rough cut discussion. Blades don't leave rough cuts the way wires do.

Originally Posted by goldenage

Which makes one wonder where some of the OPC cards from the beginning were cut.

1968 opc has plenty of clean edges.

1969 opc 2nd series has plenty of cards with clean edges that came from vending.

1970 opc 2nd series has plenty of cards with clean edges (no wire cut) that came from 2nd series vending.

1973 opc light backs all have clean edges that came from vending. The dark backs have ragged cuts and came from wax packs.

The theory is that Topps was doing all the orders for Gellman (SP ?) who was the main distributed of opc hockey cards here in the states back then. Why fill this Americans order by doing all the printing in cutting in Canada when you could just get the plates and do the printing and cutting here in the states.

That's the theory anyway, but has never been proven. The question that can be asked though is if OPC, London Ontario did use a wire cutter that produced all the rough cuts, then why do so many cards from those years all have nice, sharp edges and corners like a regular Topps baseball, football, or hockey card.

Interesting guys!

As I mentioned to Tomi on Blowout, with Bobby Burrell being a hockey historian, I tended to believe what he had to say in that vid that Samosa posted but maybe we will never be a 100% certain what all was used over the years?

[strohman99]

The 1979 Topps cards had a much cleaner cut. I have seen plenty of Gretzky Topps rookies with a smooth cut. They also have a deeper blue. Overall the Topps card can be a bit more attractive. As mentioned earlier, they were cut in different factories and the 2 companies used different methods of cutting their cards.

If you are looking at a Topps rookie, then the smooth cut isn't a reason to avoid the card.

[jchcollins]

I know this post started out about Hockey cards, but just wanted to say I have a '72 OPC Clemente that has a left border that is so rough it resembles a fringe blanket. I think it's beautiful, and it's one of my favorite cards in my collection!