Fakes, Trim Jobs and other signs of Tampering

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Posted By: Ted

This board is rife with experts in all of the vintage cards and also in all the ways that those cards have been altered or reproduced. As a collector/dealer and new to many of these older issues, I am trying to gain knowledge to protect myself from buying, or heaven forbid, selling a card that results in seeing one of my auction listings linked on this site with accompanying words of scorn, suggestions of fraud or accusations of stupidity. To that end perhaps y’all are willing to share any known resources that may help many of us to identify some or all of the issues on the list that follows. If this resource is not out there, maybe some of you author types would consider writing such a book or article using input from each of those board members with special areas of expertise. Or maybe somebody would want to put on a seminar to raise a little cash.

While third party grading will probably be suggested as a way to be sure of the authenticity of a card, that does not help when making a quick decision at a show or for large lots of commons that might not justify the cost of third party grading. I know that handling many cards will bring experience, but I don’t have tons of cards to handle, and don’t want to buy a bunch of junk from which to learn. I have Lew Lipsett’s book, but am looking for something more specific on these particular issues.

While there are no doubt others, here is a list of issues that are high on my list:

•Alterations. Discussion on ways to identify doctored cards.
•Trimming. How to tell the difference between trimming and factory miscuts.
•Reprints. Known reprints with specifics on how to tell the difference from authentic cards.
•Fakes. Specifics on known counterfeits and how to tell.
•Specific Card Set Issues. A discussion by issue of irregularities that are original to the set, versus known experiences with attempts to defraud.

This post has been prompted by seeing threads referring to things like the T 206 Nodgrass discussion, the Goudey reprint item and numerous posts asking for opinions of fake or real on ebay auctions. I just want to learn as much as I can.


Ted
He who so shall, so shall he who.