One for the card guys, need help understanding T206 Wagner

[drc]

They often restore old movie posters, because they're meant to be displayed and are on especially thin paper. Often times the restoration inlludes simple stabilization so it can be displayed. Restoration can range from minor to major overhaul. The Wagner you should is a major case.

Brandon, all your points are good ones and have been debated before. I've before asked at what point is restoration so major that it's more fake than original. The majority of baseball card card do not like cards being altered, even in minor ways, so likely have similar thoughts to you. My opinion is if a card has been torn in half, I can see how and why someone would want it put back together-- but I'm not a fan of restored cards. They don't appeal to me.

Though in the case of the Wagner, it was already majorly damaged/altered, so I may not choose the route taken but can see how someone could justify it being fixed up. It's not as if the before picture is the card in it's original state. Though if I could afford a Wagner that wouldn't be the one I'd chose. A beat up but whole example would be the one I'd chose.

There are such high cards were there is minor touch ups that I think are unnecessary. The card was before in lower condition but looked fine. And there is a case where the restoration from a Wagner was removed by later owner.

[thecatspajamas]

What I find interesting with this particular example is that, even with the level of restoration done, the corners of the card (portions that were wholly absent prior to restoration) were left slightly rounded. Maybe that was just an aesthetic choice too so that the restored card wouldn't look fake? I guess if you're rebuilding a card to that extent anyway, it really is up to the customer, but it's interesting to think about what motivates such choices and the people with enough money to be in a position to make such a choice. Not a decision I'll ever have to make, but it's fun to ponder

[Runscott]

Interesting that they saved all (most, at least) the bits of the Sweet Cap back, as opposed to re-backing with another card.

[packs]

I personally would never buy a restored baseball card. I don't mind a trim. I don't mind a re-backing. But I could never buy that restored Wagner. It's no longer a card. To me, it would be like buying a laminated card.

[travrosty]

they should have left it alone, the card hobby doesnt accept restoration like the art world does. but there are talented people that can restore anything. they use materials to add and fill in, fix creases and tears, like rice paper and so forth, but i think it was kind of a fad that has died out now.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by packs

I personally would never buy a restored baseball card. I don't mind a trim. I don't mind a re-backing. But I could never buy that restored Wagner. It's no longer a card. To me, it would be like buying a laminated card.

I think it looked horrible before the registration. The main part of the card is the artwork, and that part has now been put in a form where it now looks presentable. Not the same as altering or trimming to deceive. Also, I don't mind it as much once I noticed that the restoration had saved real parts of the back.