Question re WS Programs: Restore or not to restore

[rholmes]

Question for guys who collect or buy and sell World Series programs. Say you have a rarer, early 1900s World Series program that you might consign to auction or otherwise sell. The program is in good shape with the exception that the centerfold scorecard page has become detached at the top staple, the paper having torn through the staple.

Should the detachment be restored, or be left alone?

Both staples on the program are a bit rusted. A restorer/conservator could replace the staples with correct-era donor staples and mend the paper at the top staple to get it all bound up properly again. A small fix, really. But should it be done? Do program collectors prefer the original state? Or would restoration realize a better price?

Any thoughts welcome. The actual program doesn't matter much, or even at all. The question is, in the realm of higher-end programs, is relatively minor restoration as described above a good or a bad idea?

[Duluth Eskimo]

I had the same thing done many years ago to a high end early World Series program. Center scorecard and detached and partially split. I was very happy with the results and you couldn’t tell any thing was done. It also stabilized the item for the future. I would say go for it.

[NiceDocter]

I would say anything goes but full disclosure when it changes hands.

[UKCardGuy]

I'm working on a run of WS programs from 1930 - 1980. Personally, I wouldn't mind a program that was sensitively restored at the staple. I see it as conservation esp if it means that the program can be read without pages falling out. To me it's the same as conservation of an antique book binding.

That said, I wouldn't be comfortable with a programme where the ink was "touched up".

[rholmes]

Thanks for the input everyone, appreciated. If I have the detached page fixed it'll definitely be disclosed upon sale.