What is that stain on the card?
 

How do you identify what a stain/soiled spot on a card is composed of? Some are obvious like a 1914/1915 Cracker Jack or T206 Polar Bear but I have no idea about other sets. How do you know if it is candy, tobacco, etc. from the original packaging versus something that happened later in the card's life? I'm interested in what you look for at both the micro (e.g., using loupe) and macro (e.g., looking at scan from auction house or ebay) scales.

Thanks for your insight!

For me I really just take each stain at face value. If you collect vintage long enough you will encounter all different types of stains/dirt/grime etc.....

Most of the times I have had good luck getting paper remnants off of pre-war cards. I have erased some things that worked well and others (oil based pencil or pen) don't come off well at all. But to answer the question it is really just from experience in knowing what the extra residue is from. I have used magnification to see if something was a remnant or paper loss.

I was hoping for a fun game of "Guess that stain!"

Here's one in my collection I've been wondering about lately. It doesn't help that Hank's staring right at it! Anyone want to guess? Maybe bubble gum juice?

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n_znh_qp4bbNZk86THHkQMVoo7wO8BPeGSO7FNPxJt4?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uNw6wsDExPo/UwytFeI8hRI/AAAAAAAAbLo/1W-EHONNm0w/s800/211_Wilson_PSA_4%2528MK%2529.jpg" height="800" width="471" /></a>

Be careful of the stain
 

I'm with Leon, I take each stain at face value unless it came from this seller:D

I will leave this science to you guys. I don't want to think about it.

This card was graded by an individual on Plavix, who sustained a paper cut while handling this card with razor sharp corners prior to encapsulation. The stain is blood. This is a legitimate example of PSA's DNA.:eek:

I say Tobacco juice


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...ps35b616b9.jpg

Sweat, because that card is hot!

That looks like a tobacco stain after it has been soaked. (Not saying that it is soaked).

Alex We.@ver

the last one
 

is most often a paper on paper issue with areas exposed to the light or elements and reacting with the stock. I've seen it artifically done on paper to effect an aged look and see it legitimately all the time when dealing with trade cards......

Yep, laying on something like newsprint with another card in between. The brown acidic paper transfers somehow to the paper touching it.
Steve B

Thanks for the input. What do you think these spots are on the front and back of this N28?

I think getting a card with stains from the original packaging adds to the character of the card but dirt/grime/etc. would definitely be a detractor. That opinion lead me to probe the brains of this group to more easily identify the differences. Thanks again for your help.

Dirty Hooker
 

My Hooker was nailed on a Philly bathroom wall. My guess is the stains are mold and mildew, but you never know with a hooker... :D

http://www.t206blog.com/wp-content/u...ern-League.jpg