Restoring cards

[Leon]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Well, legal and ethical are two different things altogether.

You restore a card, and tell the buyer that you did, and they're cool with it. Two years later, that same buyer becomes a seller, and maybe they tell the next owner, maybe they don't. After the card is involved in a few transactions, there's no mention that the card has somehow artificially been repaired, and now you have buyers thinking they are purchasing a card in much better condition than it really is.

The majority of cards won't come with any provenance, so I still find card restoration to be objectionable.

I don't think it's unethical to do anything you want to a card as long as it is handled, down the line, with those things being transparent. I am not into restoration but would have no qualms buying a restored card if it was being sold that way. (I don't own any today, I am aware of ) This is a question/answer that each person will see a bit differently.

[the 'stache]

In a perfect world, Leon, I would agree. But there's just too many dishonest people out there, and if the door is opened a crack, somebody will try to take advantage. But then again, I'm a person that hates to speak in absolutes, so there could be an exception (like if I had the chance to buy a '52 Topps Mantle. I'd still consider buying it at the right price, even if it were trimmed).

[ALR-bishop]

I have never altered a card myself. I do not have the ability to do it. I have no idea if I have altered cards in my collection. For the most part my collection is ungraded, and I have all the Topps and Fleer sets done. I personally think there is no distinction among any of the above card alteration/cleaning methods. If you are opposed to any, I think you should be opposed to all. But I personally think you can do anything you want to your cards. If you do, I think you should say so when you sell them, but I realize many may not, and buyers of expensive cards who buy for value/investment rather than hobby should do so just like any other investor in any other market item, at their own risk.

Houses are restored, cars, furniture, even antique, is restored, paintings/art/sculptures are restored, for age or damage, even ones of great value.

My cards are my cards. I bought them at my risk. When you buy yours you do the same, whether you like it or not. And I would not rely on the opinion of some minion at a grading company that I know for a fact knows less about post war cards than I do to give me peace of mind about the condition of some card