Walter Johnson L1 Leather

[ksfarmboy]

I’d leave it alone, looks great just as it is. Congrats on the pick up!

[rjackson44]

Don’t touch it

[egri]

I think it's a beautiful piece, and I would leave it as is.

[doug.goodman]

That's a pretty great piece (congrats) and I wouldn't do anything to change it.

Doug

[Tao_Moko]

Based on the current direction of our market - I would leave it alone. When the bubble bursts, altered cards(even preserved/restored) cards may have a scarlet letter of sorts. There's no correct answer and opinions will vary. Assuming your "holy grail" might end up in other family member hands when you're gone means setting them up for success to sell later is a consideration. If that's too morbid then maybe you stumble upon one at a flea market for a quarter and sell one off(lol). I approve of restoration when it's a necessity for preservation. That concept has not been adopted in our hobby. Beautiful piece and congratulations.

[Hankphenom]

I really appreciate the comments, and as a result I'm leaning strongly toward leaving it as it is. When so many of the people here I have such great respect for feel so strongly, I'm definitely paying attention. It did pass my presentability threshold from the start, or I wouldn't have bought it. What got me thinking about cleaning, and possibly restoration, was this one I found in my search for other examples on the web, from a 2005 REA auction. It's tempting to think that I might be able to get mine closer to this kind of beauty with just a cleaning and/or stain removal, which I approve of in most instances with cards and memorabilia and don't really consider restoration, which is more involved with adding non-original material rather than subtracting dirt and stains that weren't there in the first place--so why not get rid of them if you can do it without changing the piece in any significant way?

[packs]

That's a really nice one. I've always thought this series was cool. What is the leather like to touch? I've never held one before.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by packs

What is the leather like to touch? I've never held one before.

I'll probably never know!

[Vintagecatcher]

Congrats Hank on picking up your Holy Grail!

I wouldn't restore the leather, however, getting it matted with an oval opening might create a more enjoyable presentation.

I bought a T4 of John Tiedemann that was trimmed to the oval and I had it matted to mirror the original look.



Patrick

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

I really appreciate the comments, and as a result I'm leaning strongly toward leaving it as it is. When so many of the people here I have such great respect for feel so strongly, I'm definitely paying attention. It did pass my presentability threshold from the start, or I wouldn't have bought it. What got me thinking about cleaning, and possibly restoration, was this one I found in my search for other examples on the web, from a 2005 REA auction. It's tempting to think that I might be able to get mine closer to this kind of beauty with just a cleaning and/or stain removal, which I approve of in most instances with cards and memorabilia and don't really consider restoration, which is more involved with adding non-original material rather than subtracting dirt and stains that weren't there in the first place--so why not get rid of them if you can do it without changing the piece in any significant way?

Maybe it is my photographers eye, but I think I see brush and wipe marks on this one. That would bother me to no end.

[Jay Wolt]

Hank fantastic pickup, Congrats!

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Hank fantastic pickup, Congrats!

Thanks, Jay!

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Maybe it is my photographers eye, but I think I see brush and wipe marks on this one. That would bother me to no end.

I see all kinds of shit that's happened to this thing, Michael. Tell me what you're thinking.