Interesting question (at least to me)....

Exhibitman · #1 07-02-2011, 05:56 PM

Cracking is probably the future of all of the 3D cards. The plastic and paper age and react to conditions differently. That is why the cards tend to curl over time. As for cracking, odds are that the card had curled and the plasticizers in the plastic used to coat the card evaporated, making the plastic brittle. When the card went into the holder and was flattened, the brittle plastic started to crack and the cracks expanded over time.

71buc · #2 07-02-2011, 08:07 PM

I have always enjoyed these cards probably harkens back to my days of begging my mother to buy the boxes containing them. I purchased this PSA 9Mays last year. It was every bit of a 9 when I received it. A couple of months ago I was looking at my Kelloggs cards and noticed it had cracked in while in the holder. The crack was not there previously. I think that is the nature of these cards due to the material they were created with.

steve B · #3 07-02-2011, 08:12 PM

Yep, if there was ever a card that shouldn't be constrained in the slab it's the 3-d cards. Archivally there's so much going on there that really isn't precisely understood. I have 3-d stuff that's older than the Kelloggs, probably mid 1960's, that's barely warped. And I have later Kelloggs from the 80's that are quote warped. So much for keeping the mail in set in 4 card panels as it was shipped to me! 10 years on they curled and became singles.

I do have a few 70's 3-d cards in screwdowns that are still uncracked and flat. But if I take them out I'll be very nervous.

I also have had concerns about slabbing cards made on acidic cardboard. While most T cards seem to have been low acid board the strip cards and most 50's Topps seem like they could be at risk. as the cardboard breaks down it releases acid, and if it's kept airtight that acid can't evaporate and does more damage. I'd love to have the big 3 companies slab a card along with a bit of test paper to see what happens. But I doubt I'd have any takers. If it goes like I think it might it would be a huge hit to the business, and it would mean that we've already damaged the very best cards of 2-3 eras. (20's, 50's, and 70's)

Steve B

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