Vintage Trimmed/Altered Cards...whats the future hold?

[Matt]

I can't speak to the future, but I have several trimmed cards in my collection. I find them a great way to get the eye appeal of a NR-MT card at a fraction of the cost.

[Bicem]

I can see the future... less emphasis on the number grade, more tolerance for alterations.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Bicem

I can see the future... less emphasis on the number grade, more tolerance for alterations.

I think just the opposite. One of the main drivers of the grading phenomenon was the ability to weed out (most of) the hard-to-detect alterations. As long as grading becomes more and more popular, trimming and other alterations stand to get less and less tolerable.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I think just the opposite. One of the main drivers of the grading phenomenon was the ability to weed out (most of) the hard-to-detect alterations. As long as grading becomes more and more popular, trimming and other alterations stand to get less and less tolerable.

There is a difference between nefarious alterations done to deceive and obviously altered cards and their level of acceptance by collectors in general.

[barrysloate]

Collectors will accept trimmed cards if they look nice, are clearly identified, and are cheap. Otherwise, they hold little appeal.

[jcmtiger]

Myself, I don't like trimmed cards and don't buy them unless really necessary. I do have an authentic Old Judge though.

Joe

[teetwoohsix]

When I see a trimmed or altered T206 for sale,most of the time I move right past it without much thought.Some people don't mind them,but I do.I agree that there a lot of trimmed cards with great eye appeal,but I can't bring myself to purchase one.
The exception for me would probably be "the big 6 " of the T206 set-strictly due to not being able to afford one that pulled a numerical grade.
Or,cards so rare it doesn't matter the grade-as long as it's authentic-period.
But why buy a T206 common with an "A" when it's not that costly to buy that same T206 common in a V/G range?
To each his/her own..........

Regards,Clayton

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

There is a difference between nefarious alterations done to deceive and obviously altered cards and their level of acceptance by collectors in general.

Maybe in form, but not substance. Either way they will always command a very small percentage of the value of the card in its unaltered state.

[cozmokramer]

I have a pretty big collection and stay away from trimmed cards.

My one exception are my 500 or so trimmed Old Judges.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Maybe in form, but not substance. Either way they will always command a very small percentage of the value of the card in its unaltered state.

Maybe, but I am talking about a pure collecting standpoint. Some people would rather have a slightly trimmed EXMTish looking card rather than a full bordered one with a tack hole in it or multiple nasty looking creases. I do agree that altered cards for the most part will always sell for a fraction of their full-bodied counterparts.

[HRBAKER]

And further, despite what we think we probably all have more altered cards than we think we do.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

...Some people would rather have a slightly trimmed EXMTish looking card rather than a full bordered one with... multiple nasty looking creases.

I'm one of those.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Maybe, but I am talking about a pure collecting standpoint. Some people would rather have a slightly trimmed EXMTish looking card rather than a full bordered one with a tack hole in it or multiple nasty looking creases.

Of course, but isn't more likely that the "slightly trimmed EXMTish looking card" was the one that was trimmed nephariously?

[bigtrain]

Years ago, I bought a 34 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig. My favorite card of all time. It had the appearance of an ex-mt card, beautiful color clean front and back. When PSA sent it back as trimmed, I was devastated. The guy who sold it to me was in the wind and I was pissed. I guess I was a purist in those days. I sold it for a few hundred bucks. I am much less picky today and selling that Gehrig has become my biggest regret as a collector. As long as I know what I am getting, trimmed cards can be fine.