Why are pencil autographs from the pre-1950s era so disrespected by collectors?

[JasonL]

That one is worth changing your name to Nick!

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by JasonL

That one is worth changing your name to Nick!

Or investing a couple bucks in an art eraser!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Or investing a couple bucks in an art eraser!

I was thinking the exact same....

Seriously though... would a good art eraser likely eliminate the name completely (with no visible remnants). Or would it devalue the piece more by either smearing it, lightening the paper underneath, or only removing a portion of the lead? I guess I'm trying to ask if it would do more harm than good.

I know there are many here who feel that the integrity of the piece would be compromised, etc. (and I get that). My question is strictly about the effectiveness of these erasers... Just wondering how well art erasers work on pencil lead that's been on a paper surface for 80+ years.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[David Atkatz]

It would certainly lighten the paper, at the very least.

You'd have to be nuts to erase the inscription! (Or the address on the front, also handwritten by Gehrig--in pencil.)

(BTW,my oldest son's name is Nick, which is why I had to have the postcard.)

[Oldtix]

Probably better to just have your name legally changed...

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

It would certainly lighten the paper, at the very least.

You'd have to be nuts to erase the inscription! (Or the address on the front, also handwritten by Gehrig--in pencil.)

(BTW,my oldest son's name is Nick, which is why I had to have the postcard.)

Agree it's far better to leave the Gehrig inscription in tact. There are circumstances, however, where I have wished I could erase parts of an insctiption or other distracting portions. Same goes for the back side of a card with pencil writing.

I've just never had the nerve to actually put eraser to paper, and was wondering if anyone has done this with any success (on an item that's been that way for 80 years or so). I've heard that the art gum erasers can work wonders, but haven't seen it first hand.

[mr2686]

I would never touch an inscription. If it bothered me that much, I would try to frame the autograph and mat out the inscription...although that's not always easy. Last year I purchased a Roberto Clemente autograph that was personalized to someone and then best wishes Roberto Clemente. The first part had been "whited out" which also touched the very top of the H is wishes. The great news is that not only did I get it for an outstanding price, the Roberto Clemente portion was untouched and, with some creative matting, should look just fine along with my other 1960 Pirates.

[perezfan]

Yes... matting it out is always better than tampering. And it sounds like yours was the perfect solution for that Clemente. Would love to see that post when it's completed.

I guess the reason I ask about these erasers is that I have seen many poor jobs of erasing, in which it simply did more harm than good.

But if there was a good execution of the erasing, we would never even know it.... right? We might all be sitting on a few pieces that were erased at some time. Just wondering if anyone here has ever successfully pulled it off (perhaps on the reverse side of a card?)

[martindl]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Seriously though... would a good art eraser likely eliminate the name completely (with no visible remnants). Or would it devalue the piece more by either smearing it, lightening the paper underneath, or only removing a portion of the lead? I guess I'm trying to ask if it would do more harm than good.
.

I run an antique mall and routinely use a gum based art eraser on old paper, most typically antique books. We'll remove an old pencilled-in price. Successfully erasing all signs of the graphite, without affecting the paper, has as much to do with the paper as anything else.

The Gehrig is on old high-pulp high-acid type paper, which is why it has toned some. Any attempts to erase the pencil would be very obvious.

As an aside, I'm totally with David on never altering items.