Looking for honest opinions on Legendary's T-206 Eddie Plank

[ethicsprof]

Congrats on the acquisition!!!
Obviously, once altered it remains altered in perpetuity no matter how much effort is exerted to bring it back to its 'original state'.
just altered and altered and altered ad infinitum.

as the folks say, be happy and don't fret over these impossibilities.

all the best,
barry

[JP]

I appreciate the feedback, everyone. I will be leaving my "new and improved" Plank in its current condition. It was also remain in my possession unless I am offered something irresistible -- a mid to high grade Demmitt or a high grade Cobb. If you've got either, hit me up!

[barrysloate]

JP-congrats on the Plank, it has great eye appeal and does seem like a good deal. But I can't help but note something very funny about your original post:

You were going to ask Joe Orlando to recommend a good restorer? Shouldn't grading services and paper restorers kind of be natural enemies? Isn't it a grading service's worst nightmare that a paper restorer will do such a good job altering a card that the graders will not be able to detect it?

It's sort of like asking a mouse to recommend a good cat.

[JP]

That's true, Barry, but in a sense, it's also like asking a mouse which cat is the one he has to be most afraid of. I'm sure a mouse has more insight as to which cat to watch out for than a cockroach does.

I'm sure some REALLY high dollar cards have been sent into PSA that have been altered, and I'm sure that execs, possibly Joe included, have had to have tough conversations with some of these submitters to let them know their card has been rejected. The alterers may be considered by some to be bad guys, while at the same time the restorers may be something akin to historical preservationists. And it would surprise me greatly if Joe hasn't been asked a thousand times about who a card could be sent to in order to completely reverse an alteration. I'm sure that some of these therefore restored cards have been sent back to PSA and have been successfully graded. Who else would I have considered asking, because in the end PSA would have the final decision?

But the point is moot - the card seems to be irreversibly altered, and so I will just enjoy its enhanced facade and take it for what it's worth.

[Exhibitman]

Congrats, it is a very nice looking card and seems to have sold low. Whether that is overall economy, Legendary's rep, or something else I don't know, but I did think when I was going through the catalog that it was a really nice looking card. FWIW, I'd just leave it alone and enjoy it. I do have a very nice mint Cobb that I'd trade for it--of course, it is a 1976 Topps All Time All Star. Any interest?

[FUBAR]

maybe you can trade JP for his talking mouse he keeps referring to ;o)

[T206Collector]

I think that's about the right price for that card, given the market for "Authentic" Planks -- and represents nearly a $3,000 increase since what is probably the same card sold in Mastro's April 2007 auction, click this link:

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...px?lotid=73368

Coincidentally, in the same April 2007 auction I purchased Lionel Carter's beater Plank, for just a hair over the price of your restored Plank. So, I think that Plank collectors are just about evenly split on whether they'd rather have a beauty restored or a beater original.

If you tried to restore it you would have to remove at least some of the blue from the background, which would put you into SGC 30 value at best. And there is a meaningful probability of an SGC 10 or 20. As a result, I would recommend just leaving it alone and consider it in value as about what the market would value an SGC 10.

Most of all -- enjoy the card!!

[JP]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I do have a very nice mint Cobb that I'd trade for it--of course, it is a 1976 Topps All Time All Star. Any interest?

Deal.

EDIT: No deal!

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JP

Deal.

JP,

Edit and add a smiley face. Quick. You should never joke with an attorney while witnesses are present. The way I see it, you just made an agreement to trade with Adam.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

Congrats on the acquisition!!!
Obviously, once altered it remains altered in perpetuity no matter how much effort is exerted to bring it back to its 'original state'.
just altered and altered and altered ad infinitum.

Hi Barry,

Though I agree with this sentiment (and my guess is a lot of other collectors do, too), the grading companies -- whether knowingly or unknowingly -- have a different take. Cards that have been altered and then have the alteration(s) completely removed definitely can receive numerical grades. Again, whether the grading companies assign the number knowing about the previous handiwork that was undone is an interesting question.