Removing Card From Graded Case

[vintagetoppsguy]

If you don't have a dremmel, you can use a pair of pliers to snap off one of the corners of the slab (I usually cut the top right) and then slide a thin piece of metal (like a knife blade) between the two plastic halves.

I, too, am building a '52 Topps set and I buy graded cards when I can find them cheap enough and crack them out as well.

I've found SGC cards to be the easiest, followed by PSA. BGS/BVG are tougher so be careful.

[steve B]

I'd probably keep the Rothman collection ones in the slabs, more for the tie to a known collection than any premium.

I haven't checked 52s in some time, all mine are raw- most of them very raw.
If the 5-6s carry some premium I'd crack those out last. The others, crack away.

Steve B

[campyfan39]

Lay it on cement. Take a hammer and smash the top. Pry open with fingers and it beaks in two.
Sounds crude but I have done it dozens of times with no problems.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by steve B

I'd probably keep the Rothman collection ones in the slabs, more for the tie to a known collection than any premium.

Steve, I've cracked several '52 Topps Rothman SGC 60's that I've purchased on eBay lately. Who was Rothman and why would you leave them in the slabs?

I've also seen the same pedegree on several other SGC slabs lately.

[hangman62]

I also purchased a 1952T set ..way back in the early 70s..pays about $1000,.sold it in 1987...and used the money for a 1 year "all access" pass to Studio 54 in NY.

keep on dancin

[steve B]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Steve, I've cracked several '52 Topps Rothman SGC 60's that I've purchased on eBay lately. Who was Rothman and why would you leave them in the slabs?

I've also seen the same pedegree on several other SGC slabs lately.

I don't know who Rothman was/is, but aren't the personalized slabs only for special collections?

All I could find online was the place that's selling the collection.
http://www.vintagecollectables.net/page.php?page_id=44
At any rate, it's probably not something that would draw a big premium if any. I'm coming to like the connection to other collections. Probably no big deal cracking out, just me being a bit ecccentric---Or maybe crazy. I don't have enough money to be eccentric.

Steve B

[ALR-bishop]

I keep all my sets in binders for easy access. I use a bolt cutter to free any slabbed cards. Takes only one second, works every time, and I have never damaged a card

[bradmar48]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I'll try using the dremmel saw first on one of the lower value ones.

I've got a few extra 1952's
#63 Black back VG+ off cut 90/10 left to right
#149 EX 60/40 left to right
#170 EX 70/30 Top to Bottom
#204 VG+ 80/20 left to right
#221 EX+ perfect centering, small ding top right corner
#247 EX Back bottom to top 60/40
#219 BVG 5.5 70/30 left to right, 80/20 top to bottom

If anyone needs any of these send me a message

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I keep all my sets in binders for easy access. I use a bolt cutter to free any slabbed cards. Takes only one second, works every time, and I have never damaged a card

When you say, "bolt cutter," do you mean the large device with about three foot long arms and jaws wide enough for really heavy bolts? Or are you meaning a smaller tool of some sort? Would a large vise-grip pliers do the job?

[ALR-bishop]

The smaller tool you mention might work fine. I tried several things but it always took some time and seemed to involve some risk. I had one of the big bolt cutters and tried that, at the seem where the card holder meets the title holder, and it worked great with one snap. Been using it ever since

[U240robert]

Originally Posted by steve B

I don't know who Rothman was/is, but aren't the personalized slabs only for special collections?

All I could find online was the place that's selling the collection.
http://www.vintagecollectables.net/page.php?page_id=44
At any rate, it's probably not something that would draw a big premium if any. I'm coming to like the connection to other collections. Probably no big deal cracking out, just me being a bit ecccentric---Or maybe crazy. I don't have enough money to be eccentric.

Steve B

Rothman was a big time dealer in the 80's and early 90's.
If it's the same one I knew of.
I used to see his ads every week in SCD.

[GoldenAge50s]

I believe you are remembering Rotman Collectibles out of Worcester MA.

[MikeGarcia]

Wear glasses --- those shards of plastic fly everywhere at high speed ...ask me how I found out.....

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

Wear glasses --- those shards of plastic fly everywhere at high speed ...ask me how I found out.....

+1
I had a piece of plastic shoot up and get stuck in my face. Small cut, but I thought what would have happened if it hit my eye.
Drew