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Selling "damaged" cards

megalaniamegalania Posts: 2
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Hi. I need everyone's advice on selling cards. I'm new to this field - having just inherited an old scrapbook containing baseball and boxing cards. I have a couple dozen 1949 Bowman Gum baseball cards-- including some of the pricier ones like Musial and Kiner. All of the cards have a small piece of yellowed tape along top edge. Yes, we all know this affects value - and significantly at that. My question is - despite this, the rest of the cards are in remarkably good condition with no creases, and the corners are still well defined, good color. The whole issue is the 1/2 in. tape sliver along top edge. Now I know that not everyone can afford to pay $1000 or whatever for a mint example - so is there some kind of a market for cards having this flaw? I would think that some collectors would take advantage of this - to be able to own some of the rarer cards without having to take out a second mortgage. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • 1989FleerBillRipkencollector1989FleerBillRipkencollector Posts: 4,590
    Almost anything has a price
    imageimageimage
  • BRDSRBRDSR Posts: 94
    Like 1989FBRC said, almost anything has a price. That established, my advice to you would be to take one or two of the less valuable cards and experiment with trying to remove the tape. This will likely cause some measure of damage to the card, but personally, I would rather have the card minus a little color/gloss than the card plus the tape. If you're removing so much that it amounts to paper loss, then I don't know...
  • AUPTAUPT Posts: 806 ✭✭✭
    Tape and tape residue removal are the forte of Dick Towle, who does business as Gone With the Stain. You can e-mail him at rtowle1@twcny.rr.com. I don't know what he charges these days, but he can remove the tape and goo so that it is undetectable. While it's not worth the cost on commons, for stars like Musial it may be worth considering.
  • earlycalguyearlycalguy Posts: 1,247 ✭✭


    sure there is a market. just post good scans and describe appropriately. commons put in groups and sell together.
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    There are definitely people who would buy them, especially if they still look decent. I would be interested in seeing scans, here are some of the 51 Bowmans I own.
    image
  • megalaniamegalania Posts: 2
    Thanks everyone. I will contact the above named "repair" guy. To be honest, I'd rather sell them cheap and then let that person worry about tape removal...since investing up-front like this is a risk...what if the cards don't sell? I'm glad I posted here...you folks are a little more positive and encouraging than some of the other people I discussed the tape with yesterday!
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭
    Absolutely a market for this type card.I own a few in some of my much older sets and was able to purchase them at a very low price.If the tape was the only flaw you might be able to sell the card at 20% of book if it is a Star card PRE early 50s.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • leathtechleathtech Posts: 3,191 ✭


    << <i>Thanks everyone. I will contact the above named "repair" guy. To be honest, I'd rather sell them cheap and then let that person worry about tape removal...since investing up-front like this is a risk...what if the cards don't sell? I'm glad I posted here...you folks are a little more positive and encouraging than some of the other people I discussed the tape with yesterday! >>



    I'd be interested in the Musial and Kiner... let me know if you'd like to sell them or if you put them on ebay!
    image
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    PM me or email me to let me know what cards you have, Thanks,
    Alex
    al032184@yahoo.com
  • effeeffe Posts: 190 ✭✭
    A hair dryer or a heat gun to soften the tape might do the trick as well.

    My registry sets

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