A Net54 Instructional Thread -Trimming

[frankbmd]

I'll bet this current scandal has some of you wishing how can I get a piece of the action. The answer is simple. You can. Just carefully review this instructional thread on the art of conservation/trimming and you will be submitting cards for auction and reaping the rewards in no time

#1 - The Proper Equipment and Grip

Trimming Grip.jpg

Here one of my students demonstrating the proper grip of the scissors with the third finger and thumb of the right hand. This grip gives both balance and control to facilitate a barely discernible cut.

#2 - Don't Practice on Commons.

Killebrew.jpg

If you succeed in mastering the skills necessary, a common isn't going to be worth your time. The Killebrew card isn't perfect. but a nearly complete border ablation is achieved despite the notch on the lower margin.

#3 - Preserve Centering if Possible

Banks.jpg

The excellent top to bottom centering on this card is preserved on the Banks card which required only a lateral ablation.

#4 - Trim With What the Card Gives You

Clemente.jpg

The Logo on this Clemente extends into the upper border of the card. The thoughtful trimmer carefully preserved the Pirate logo without creating a "Killer Notch" as shown in #2

#5 - Topps Traded 1955

Mays.jpg

Not released as a regular issue until the early 70s, Topps Traded cards were inspired by this '55 version. After the Giants left for San Francisco, this card required drastic modification with removal of the "Big Apple" New York from the front of the card.

#6 - Beginnner's Mistakes

Berra.jpg

Yogi suffered a damaging error when the trimmer sort of botched the lower left corner and didn't know how to correct his error. The solution to the problem is shown in #7

#7 - Errors can be Corrected.

Snider.jpg

Duke's lower left corner was similar to Yogi's. The solution, however, did not result in a razor sharp corner, but rather two razor sharp angles. The result provides increased aesthetic appeal to the Snider card.

#8 - Alteration vs Conversation Defined

Williams.jpg

I bet many of you still feel that the examples above are alterations, not conservations, and you may be correct. However, if you feel that you own such an altered card, conservation, or restoring a card to its pack fresh condition, is still possible. Here the trimmer was disappointed in his initial trimming of Ted Williams and elected to restore the card using a carefully crafted border from a Preston Ward card. The result is clearly an improvement. This card would clearly now receive a numerical grade.

#9 - Advanced Techniques (to be detailed in a future lesson)

Koufax.jpg

Trimming the edges of cards is basically the elementary school of conservation, but provides no restoration of the subject of the card. Here, I would maintain, Sandy Koufax has had his mustache trimmed successfully by an elite card barber.