Before surgery and after surgery

frankhardy · August 8, 2008 4:42AM

I recently got this 1939 Play Ball Lonnie Warneke. This will go into my personal Cardinals collection. This card had his name written across the top in dark ink. So, rather than leave it, I took my knife and scraped it lightly until the ink disappeared. Upon closer inspection now, it just looks like a scuff. I would much rather have a scuff than writing all over the top.

Do any of you guys do similar things for your own personal collection? Of course, it is a totally different issue when you are selling a card.

(I had already scrapped his last name before I thought about scanning it)

Before and after.

gosteelers · August 8, 2008 4:44AM

I personally would rather have the writing on it. Gives it some sort of strange provenance in my mind...

storm888 · August 8, 2008 4:50AM

Chemicals usually work better than knives.

First Rule of Card Doctors: Do No Harm.

PoppaJ · August 8, 2008 4:53AM

Hi Shane,

I have never knowingly purchased a written-on card before, but just out of curiousity, what made you purchase this card in the 1st place, when you could probably get a PSA 7 for around $50-$70?

do you do this regularly?

PoppaJ

frankhardy · August 8, 2008 4:56AM

It came in a collection that I bought to move. Usually, when I buy a collection, I sell the majority and keep the Cardinals cards. So in reality, I have nothing in the card. Also, for my personal Cardinals collection, I would rather buy a low grade example of that card for $5 and spend the other $50 on other low grade examples that I need.

As far as chemicals go, what chemical will take off ink?

Aknot · August 8, 2008 5:03AM

<< 
As far as chemicals go, what chemical will take off ink? >>

Acid.

(sorry had to)

Along those lines does anyone know what it would cost to "restore" that removing the ink professionally? Im just curious.

lawnmowerman · August 8, 2008 5:03AM

I bought a Ricky Henderson rc at the flea market when I was a kid. The guy wrote the price on the back of the card in pencil. I din't care back then but when I recently took it out, it bugged me so I erased it. The 27 year old pencil mark came off nicely like it was never there. I was quite shocked

perkdog · August 8, 2008 5:09AM

<< I personally would rather have the writing on it. Gives it some sort of strange provenance in my mind... >>

Agreed! I would have kept it on myself, but its a personal prefference. The card looks OK though after going under the knife!

ripkenintheminors · August 8, 2008 5:15AM

I showed this in a thread recently, but I'll post it again. When I purchased this card, it was already in the slab. Considering that a PSA 5 sold for $800 more than this copy (PSA 6) and that the writing was on the back, I was happy with the purchase. I later learned the story about how this young girl would write her name on the backs of her cards to make sure that her brothers didn't get them. I have several of the other cards of the set with her autograph on the back. It's a great reminder of what can be good about the hobby:

storm888 · August 8, 2008 5:16AM

acetone

brake fluid

clorox (not good for ballpoint)

breck hairspray

.........................

rinse/wipe any of the above with rubbing alcohol, as final step.

///////////////

Never use an amonia-based product to remove ink. It is likely
to set the stain FOREVER.

///////////////////

If you have ink on a book page, the best emery cloth from Home Desperado
will work well. Fairy-pressure is required; no gorilla pressure.

/////////////

Xacto blades are not a good idea.

You will likely turn an MK qualifier into a PSA 1, or an A.

gumbyfan · August 8, 2008 6:13AM

<< As far as chemicals go, what chemical will take off ink? >>

White Out

lawnmowerman · August 8, 2008 7:09AM

<< 

<< As far as chemicals go, what chemical will take off ink? >>

White Out

>>

I agree. Plus it's sniffable, almost as good as gas.

bdunndchi · August 8, 2008 10:15AM

<< 

I agree. Plus it's sniffable, almost as good as gas. >>

Before surgery and after surgery

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