Introduction and Question

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Posted By: Anonymous

Hello,
This is my first post to this forum. I found it a couple days ago and have already learned quite a bit just by reading some of the past posts. Of course I still have a lot more to learn about vintage collecting since I've been away from the hobby for about 9 years. My question is this: How can you tell the difference between a card that has been trimmed and a card that is just badly off-center? I've been looking at some cards on e-bay, but I can't really tell the difference.

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Posted By: jay behrens

Not to start off rudely, but posting your name and an email addy is good form. Anon posters tend to ignored and/or shut down until we know who you are.

You question is innocent enough so as not to ignore you. Welcome to the board, but please let us know who you are.

The absolute best way to learn how to tell if a card on eBay is trimmed is to go to shows, carry a book that lists sizes for cards, and then get a mental feel for what a full size card should like. 90% or more of all trim jobs cna be idenified this way.

The best way to start out buying on eBay is to make small purchases first until you become more familiar with the cards you want. Also learn who the reputable dealer/sellers are. It may cost a bit more to go thru them, but the peace of mind is worth it.

Jay

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Posted By: halleygator

Get the seller to tell you in writing the exact measurements of the card, and compare that to the listed measurements in guide books.

If the card comes and does NOT measure up -- and you have the seller telling you something in writing about the measurements that was NOT true -- then surely you will get a refund from the seller OR report him to EBAY for fraud and negative feedback.

Or ... you can just buy a card that has been graded by PRO Grading and KNOW for a FACT that it has been trimmed.

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Posted By: leon

You can send your great vintage card to PSA and have the snotty nosed kid send it back as "miscut"....hopefully without Cheeto's residue on it ( although I like cheeto's)..........but in all seriousness here are a few tips...

1. measure the card and check it versus the guides measurements.

2. compare it to other cards of the same series....a lot of vintage cards have varied sizes.

3. look for a "wavy" cut on the sides or top or bottom

4. if any of the first 3 look suspicious look for 2 corners to be more "pointed" than the other 2....

5. on albumen (photo) type cards feel the edges....if any are smooth there could be a problem as most should have some "rough" feel to them.......

6. handle as many cards as possible...

hope these hints will help....seems like no one ever wants to tell exactly what to do......but these methods are a dang good start......

regards,
leon

These are all signs of trimming

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Posted By: craig

also look at the edges of the card. if the card edge is dirty or discolred you can notice that trimming has occured by the lighter color of a cut edge.

caig

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Posted By: Myron Black

Thanks for info. I'll be sure to include my name and e-mail the next time I post.

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Posted By: Lee Behrens

I personally bought a clear ruler and marked the standard measurement for the T206s on the ruler. Makes it easier for a dumby like me that has a hard time figuring out fractions. Every T206 I get receives a measurement change. I didd not do this early in my collecting and now possess a few trimmed cards.

Good Luck with the collecting

Lee Behrens

bowlingshoegiverouterguy

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

anyone who's ever sent scans of numerous Old Judges around knows that the height changes with almost every card...

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Posted By: JC

Is this Myron from Georgia?

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Posted By: Myron Black

Nah, I'm from South Carolina.

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Posted By: Brian C Daniels

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2762697433&category=31718&rd=1

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Posted By: Myron Black

No, that's not me.