Would you trim up a strip

[0-2 Pitch]

Andrew,

I have collected strip cards for many years. While I have trimmed a few to improve eye appeal, it has been on a case by case basis. Given that they are typically inexpensive when compared to other pre-war issues, I have been very willing to "put them under the knife" to improve the look of the card. However, we are talking about a Ruth card, so I would not trim this particular example. Even a Ruth strip card can be somewhat expensive, so it would definitely give me pause about altering it in any way.

[T206Collector]

...if for no other reason than resale value will be higher to a prospective trimmee.

[JamesGallo]

I have trimmed 1 strip card but it had a very bad jargged edge on one side and I just trimmed it down. Wouldn't have graded anyway. I would leave the Ruth alone as it looks like it is close to the correct size and presents fine.

James G

[glchen]

I have a theoretical question about hand cut cards. I've attached an image of a notebook cover from the current Feb 2011 Goodwin auction. As you can see from the image, the players on the cover actually have borders. I agree destroying memorabilia like this isn't the thing to do, but could you actually hand cut the "cards" from these covers and produce a new "set?" Some other sets like W555 and Schapira Ruth's are cut from boxes, so I wasn't sure how similar that would be to this.

[JamesGallo]

I am not sure but I believe most of the notebook covers are know, so they would likely not be gradeable or would only recieve an authentic grade.

So in a sense no, I would guess that if they were graded they would be list as 1910 Notebook Cover or something like that.

James G

[glchen]

Yea, I wasn't sure if after they were cut up, they'd be listed as one of those W-UNC that people don't really know the origins of. So here, it'd be like c.1910 W-UNC Honus Wagner or something.

[Zach Wheat]

I collect strips; I agree wholeheartedly with Jim & Mike above. I would not trim the Ruth or any other "expensive" strip; this isn't so much a consideration for most others except for perhaps the Black Sox players in the W514's.

Zach