Need Advice - Cobb T206

[perezfan]

Please see attached Ty Cobb T206... I purchased this at the infancy of my collecting "career", and have had it for nearly 20 years. I bought it at a local show, well before the days of home computers and ebay...

The 3 corners with the stains bug me, and if I were to do it now, I would have held out for a better example. That said.. is this card a candidate for soaking? I assume the stains are from mounting corners in an album many years ago. Would soaking the card get rid of (or lessen) these stained areas? I am leary of doing it myself (especially to a Cobb) and would rather experiment first with a beat-up/worthless common.

The other alternative I was wondering about is Dick Towle. I read a few articles about him and his company (Gone With the Stain). But they apparently have no Website, and the email I was given for him failed to elicit any response. Does anyone know if Dick Towle would be a viable alternative for this card, and whether or not he is still doing this type of work?

I want to add that I am not looking to have this card graded, and simply am looking to approve its current appearance. I know there's a philosophical divide among Net54 members, so am hoping to avoid a moral right/wrong debate. I just want feedback on how to remove these stains most easily/safely/effectively.

Any input and opinions are very much appreciated.... thanks!