Walter Johnson L1 Leather

[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!

[MuncieNolePAZ]

Awesome pick-up Hank. Congrats! I would leave it as is.

Chad

[clydepepper]

Great acquisition Hank.

Though I'm certainly no expert, I would agree with the majority of comments and say leave it be.

One word of caution: Keep it out of direct sunlight. I know that sounds very common sense, but lots of us become even more leathery with that type of exposure.


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[perezfan]

Congrats Hank... Such a tough item, and the WaJo image is stellar!

I would keep it original as well. The condition flaws mentioned are just a part of its history and charm.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Congrats Hank... Such a tough item, and the WaJo image is stellar! I would keep it original as well. The condition flaws mentioned are just a part of its history and charm.

Thanks, Mark, that sure is the consensus here. And I'm leaning heavily that way right now myself, but do want to learn what the possible options might be. Looking at that gorgeous example from REA, I would be sorely tempted if a qualified expert told me that mine could look something like that with no effect whatsoever on the image itself. That's the only condition under which I would even consider it. I do appreciate and value highly your opinion and that of the other serious guys here.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Great acquisition Hank. Though I'm certainly no expert, I would agree with the majority of comments and say leave it be. One word of caution: Keep it out of direct sunlight. I know that sounds very common sense, but lots of us become even more leathery with that type of exposure.
.

Ha! Thanks, Robbie, I've learned over the years, sometimes the hard way, to beware the elements when it comes to my stuff: sunlight, moisture of any kind, even air are the enemies of preservation. Funny how the things we need to survive are not kind to our collectibles.

[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.