Grading postcards with erasure marks

Exhibitman · #1 08-30-2024, 12:46 PM

If the indentations or marks are visible, expect a 1.5-2 at best. This one got nailed for indentations:

As for vintage markings, I have found that some add value, especially postal cancellations in season that provide some provenance:

Sorry for the crappy scan on this one, but it is a Drysdale signed PC sent from Brooklyn in 1957, and I definitely would pay a premium for a card like this as compared to a signed but unused card, because I can date it to his rookie season:

Well, actually, I did pay a premium...and would happily do it again:

This PC with Babe Ruth (among others) was mailed in 1932, which enhances the desirability for me because it is demonstrably career contemporary:

I think of it in those terms because in boxing, markings associated with big fights have long been desirable and generate premiums regardless of condition. This one would get perhaps a 2 at best but the markings indicate it was mailed out a few weeks after Willard won the title from Jack Johnson in 1915 (4/5/15) and would command a significant premium as a result.

Just to bookend it, this one was mailed from Toledo, Ohio the day (7/4/19) that Willard lost the title to Jack Dempsey in Toledo.

Vintagedeputy · #2 08-30-2024, 02:47 PM

Love me some slabbed postcards!

destijl03 · #3 08-30-2024, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

If the indentations or marks are visible, expect a 1.5-2 at best.

It�s a little hard to tell for sure, but it seems like there may be some indentations. I�m honestly fine with any grade other than Altered! Also, those are some amazing postcards, thanks for sharing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucas00

If there's a gently written dealer price on the back, Erase it. If it's anything to do with actually being sent. Don't.

Whoever erased before probably used the wrong kind of eraser. I don't know what a grader will think about that.

There�s no dealer price, but there are what appear to be inventory notes from the dealer. Unfortunately there�s no writing having anything to do with being sent, only dealer markings. It�s impossible to tell or know for sure, but whoever erased before, it looks like they used just a normal pencil eraser. If any postcard dealers are reading this, please please please stop writing on the actual postcards!

Exhibitman · #4 08-30-2024, 10:27 PM

Artgum eraser.

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