Stunning quote on altered cards

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Trimming is likely the most common alteration for altered cards, but that generally isn't what I fear ... its the touch-up recoloring and rebuilding corners etc that are difficult to catch in a scan (let alone in person).

I would say 40% or more of Pre WW Cards in PSA holders are trimmed or re colored….I’m not talking soak out of a book or corner flipped I’m taking cut and colored.

[fkm_bky]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I would say 40% or more of Pre WW Cards in PSA holders are trimmed or re colored….I’m not talking soak out of a book or corner flipped I’m taking cut and colored.

When we’re talking about these percentages of altered cards and such, at what grade level is it really the most prevalent? I’m assuming (going by PSA grading scale) from 3 or 4 on up? My collection right now is lower grade, but my plan is to upgrade as much as I can over time. Personally, I’ll take a nice looking unaltered 2 over the risk of a potentially altered 4 or 5.

Bill

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by fkm_bky

When we’re talking about these percentages of altered cards and such, at what grade level is it really the most prevalent? I’m assuming (going by PSA grading scale) from 3 or 4 on up? My collection right now is lower grade, but my plan is to upgrade as much as I can over time. Personally, I’ll take a nice looking unaltered 2 over the risk of a potentially altered 4 or 5.

Bill

All Grades

[packs]

No, it is not all grades. I am 100% confident that I do not have a single altered card in my collection. Mostly because I collect the card and not the holder.

[Flintboy]

Originally Posted by packs

No, it is not all grades. I am 100% confident that I do not have a single altered card in my collection. Mostly because I collect the card and not the holder.

Keep telling yourself that. These guys are so good now it’s impossible to tell unless you have the before scan.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Flintboy

Keep telling yourself that. These guys are so good now it’s impossible to tell unless you have the before scan.

I agree with Packs on this one. I don't have a single altered card in my collection. I don't need a before scan, I have an eagle eye. Even on my worst day, I'm twice as good as any grader.

[samosa4u]

First of all, I just hate it when an author tries to explain the whole entire hobby, from A to Z, in one freaking article! It's ridiculous and it puts the average reader to sleep!

Now, regarding Evan Mathis, I agree with his quote. The way things currently are, and the huge price differences between grades, it's obviously going to be very tempting to improve a card's condition. However, it's quite pathetic that Evan's name had to be linked to all of this. We're talking about an NFL superstar who made millions in his career. The guys who normally alter cards are bums without a profession and have no other source of income. If the accusations against Evan are true, then what's his excuse?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I would say 40% or more of Pre WW Cards in PSA holders are trimmed or re colored….I’m not talking soak out of a book or corner flipped I’m taking cut and colored.

I disagree. The sheer numbers of cards would tend to suggest that is an overstatement. I would agree that a large % of the allegedly high grade prewar cards have been altered. Those of us who've been around collecting for 40+ years know what was out there on average in the cheap days and as compared to what is out there now, the ratio of high grade to all grades has increased over time. I do not think that is the result of 'finds' (though there have been some, e.g., the Black Swamp), but for sets like T206 and 1933 Goudey, no, sorry, those cards have been worked.