Early 1980s Kelloggs Baseball Card Sets How Do You Separate the Crds?

[timzcardz]

I can't profess any expertise in how they grade, BUT . . . . here is a PSA 10 with connecting tabs apparent:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CARLTON-FIS...0/313194332261

[fusorcruiser]

Thanks Tim and Steve, Really appreciate your thoughts. Looks like the hanging perforations don't affect the grade too much when looking at that 1983 Fisk PSA 10 example. So I acquired 4 sets; one each from 1980 to 1983. These are cool looking factory sets. I went backwards and started with separating 1983. The 1983 were the most difficult to separate. The 1982s and 1981s came apart much easier with less defects and/or chips. Still have 1980 to do. It is interesting regarding the variation in width and height on Kellogg's cards over the years. My favorite set so far is 1981 as these cards are the largest in size and mimic the typical trading card at 2.5" x 3.5". Again, thank you for your help.

[insidethewrapper]

Don't be to disappointed when you send in the Kellogg's and don't get the grade you think they should get. Also when I have got a 9 or 10, when I review them later in my collection, some have obtained cracks after they have been slabbed. I have stopped collecting Kellogg's for this reason. I hate to piece together a high grade set( pay big $$$) and then years later have to replace many of them. The 1975 Set is the worst, also a lot of my 1971's have cracked after being put into PSA slabs. Hope you have better luck.
Any others with similiar results ? How about other years ?

[steve B]

I haven't slabbed any.

A lot of the cracking is from the plastic losing some plasticizer over time and shrinking while the paper doesn't shrink. Humidity can also make the paper expand, and if things are restrained in a holder I think cracking is probably almost inevitable.

Some of my factory sets curled enough in the original package that the panels separated into individual cards. None cracked, at least not by the last time I checked. Most of my loose cards have curled some. Oddly the earlier proofs are mostly flat and the plastic is still more flexible. I believe it's a different type of plastic.

Plastics are a "new" enough material and there are so many specific formulations both in production and processing that even professional conservators in museums are often puzzled about how to go about preventing it from damaging itself.