Hypothetical Question about 1986 Fleer Jordan

frankhardy

I own a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan BGS 8. By the way, this card has 9.5 centering. The corners on this card are 7.5. I have posted a picture of the card and a picture of the top right corner zoomed in.

Let me describe the corners on this card. The bottom two are perfect. The top two are identical, so I just scanned the right one. It looks as though the blade wasn't sharp they day that this card was cut at the factory. The "white" that you see on the corner is NOT wear. It is, what I would call, "excess" from not being cut with a sharp blade, thus making the corners 7.5. Both top corners are this way. If you look at JUST THE SURFACE to the very edge of each corner, there is NO wear. Again, it is excess that didn't get cut. You can see that in the scan.

I know I may catch a some slack for even asking this question. Please believe me, I do not plan on busting the card out. I know it would be very, very, very risking to even try this. But here is my question. Before the card was slabbed, would it have been considered "trimming" to have carefully taken a blade and "shaved" that excess?

As risky as that would be, that would be the difference between a BGS 8 and a possible BGS 9, which is several hundred dollars.

Any thoughts? Please spare me, ok?

chicago111

im no expert here but this is what PSA says:
N-1 Evidence of Trimming - When a card’s edge has been altered, a card doctor may use scissors, scalpel, cutter, or any other cutting instrument. A trimmed card may show one of the following: Hook up or down, have one razor sharp edge, a difference in toning along the edge, a wavy look.


sounds like if you touch it with any kind of cutting instrument you would be considered a Card Doctor.

frankhardy

Pictures posted. I edited the first post.

envoy98

That corner is not the reason that you got a 7.5 on corners. That excess paper should not matter at all.

frankhardy

No offense, but I have to disagree. First of all, it is BOTH top corners, not just that one. The two bottom corners are perfect. I really do think that the "excess" is the reason for the 7.5 corners. If not for the "excess", the corners could get a 9.

In the large picture, the top left corner looks deceiving. There is no wear on it either. The white is excess also on that corner.

Allen

If you take a blade to that card you should take it to your left ear afterwards because you are crazy as Van Gogh

envoy98

Well, I had a PSA 9 Jordan that had that excess paper on two corners. That really, should not make a difference... as long as the corner is not frayed, excess paper is allowed. Remember, there are 8 corners, not 4. Is there full gloss on the front? Does the back show any chipping under magnification? How about fraying? Corners can be touched on one side and not the other and I find it very hard to believe that bit of paper got you a 7.5. If it did, crack it and resubmit it, leaving the paper in place. A simple .5 bump is worth the attempt. Just be careful.

frankhardy

Allen,

No, I'm not going to do that. I've already said that. I was just wondering mainly if the 7.5 was due to the excess.



envoy98,

If you had a PSA 9 that had the excess paper, then I guess that answers my question.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>Before the card was slabbed, would it have been considered "trimming" to have carefully taken a blade and "shaved" that excess? >>



You bet it would.

I have a PSA 8 with cleaner corners than that - so perhaps the corners are not your issue.

Boopotts

<< <i>Allen,

No, I'm not going to do that. I've already said that. I was just wondering mainly if the 7.5 was due to the excess. >>



Why not? It's exciting, if nothing else. And you really don't have anything to lose since the card clearly isn't altered.

Boopotts

<< <i>

<< <i>Before the card was slabbed, would it have been considered "trimming" to have carefully taken a blade and "shaved" that excess? >>




It's only trimming if they catch it. Although as DBH would say (where's he been, anyway?) it surely wouldn't get passed the trained professionals at PSA.

Seraph

Is it me or does the left border look narrower than the right border? No one mentioned the "rough cut" along the lower left side of the card. And it does look like there's a 'touch' on the upper left corner.

If you do not intend to sell it, then there should be no worry. You have an authentic/unaltered/unabused rookie card of possibly the best player to ever step onto the hardcourt.

ldferg

from the scan it doesn't look like excess paper. it doesn't appear the surface comes to a point that would lend itself to be shaved to clean off the excess paper. maybe it's just the scan.

yes, i think before slabbing this would be considered trimming.