Removing Pencil

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Posted By: James Gallo

What are people's thoughts on removing pencil from the back of the card. This would be on an area without color or text. What is the best and safest way to do this. I am not talking about a chemical but just an eraser....?

Is this restoration?
Thoughts?

thanks

James G

Looking for 1915 Cracker Jacks and 1909-11 American Caramel E90-1.

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

DESIGN Artgum works well, it is distributed by Sanford.

DESIGN Kneaded Rubber can work well, too. it is softer and will remind you of modeling clay. It is for erasing graphite, charcoal, pastels, and crayon. Sanford distributes it, too.

Neither will get rid of all marks completely. Both can be gently used without damaging most cards. Neither leaves a residue.

And I believe that either could be aggressively used so that a card could be marked by the use. Patience. And be gentle.

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Posted By: JK

I know there are some who disagree, but personally, I dont have any problem with removing pencil marks from a card.

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Posted By: Fred C

I agree... removing pencil marks with only an eraser isn't a sin in my book.

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Posted By: Kevin Saucier

soak it.

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Posted By: T206Collector

SGC and PSA can usually still find where the pencil mark was and will still grade accordingly, but I think the card looks better without the pencil mark even with the same technical grade or MK qualifier.

Oh, and I don't think it's restoration--you're not adding anything to the card, like foreign paper or chemicals. And the grading companies are aware of the practice but still slab the cards with a grade and sometimes a qualifier. They wouldn't do that if the industry expectation was that this was taboo, i.e., trimming, adding color.


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Posted By: boxingcardman

My first thought was "from which orifice", which shows how slow my life is...

Artgum is a great product. I used them extensively while I was taking art classes. It is designed not to shred paper, unlike a regular eraser. I would not use a kneaded eraser for pencil marks; it is really designed for dustier media like charcoal.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Zinn

I have no problem with removing pencil marks. It just makes the card all the more asthetically pleasing. Whether PSA or SGC picks up on it is irrelevant to me. It is what it is and will be graded accordingly.

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Posted By: leon

Look for a Mars Plastic Eraser. I got a pack of 4 large ones for about $4 a long time ago.....it's a lifetime supply. The eraser, as well as other artgum ones, will crumble easily thereby making it safer to erase. I have no problem with erasing pencil marks on cards. I have even disclosed it when selling to a board member even though there was no trace and SGC didn't see it either when they encased the card. The only issue is if whoever wrote on your card did it with a heavy hand...then indentions will be left....Maybe that's what Kevin is talking about when he says to soak it? regards

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Posted By: Jason L

do I care that much? not really.
I just think that the markings become part of the card and it's history of travel.
I just sent in a nice vintage card to SGC and kept the pencilled numbering on the back of it. It was in a PSA (MK) holder, and I'm sure it will get downgraded for it.
Am I an idiot? perhaps. wouldn't be the first time I've been called that. But you know what, it's still the same card that I bought, and I love it just the same.

Personally, I would be too nervous that I would damage the card further.

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Posted By: leon

I have to agree with you (somewhat) on erasing. Sometimes I will leave the markings as they are neat and give more identification to the cards history. This Weaver came from the Trucker Boy find and these marks will stay on it....This "Carl" person was very prolific in his writing of his name on PCL cards.......Kind of funny how this was stashed away since it was collected but had his name on it?

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Posted By: Scott Levy

Before all this mania with grading occurred, it was not uncommon for someone to lightly mark a price in pencil on the back of a card. I've seen many and owned a few examples like this. Art erasers generally work well, especially with light pencil marks and I have no issue personally with doing so.

Regards,
Scott

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Posted By: Steve Murray

where did you go to?

I've seen a number of Carl's 1911 Zeenuts. Some with his full name, some just Carl and some with just his initials C. E. (See scan). Interestingly, though I've handled numerous 1912 zeenuts, I cannot recall ever seeing one with his name or initials.

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Posted By: Peter Thomas

I also have a couple dozen of these cards marked C.E., Carl, Carl E. and Carl Everett. I would not mind a few dozen more. Would not think of erasing them.