Issues of trust and legitimacy are the biggest takeaways from the recent scandal over graded sports cards that have been trimmed, recolored or otherwise altered. But is there a legal reckoning to come? A professor of law at a South Florida university says it's possible, but cautions it is a difficult process. “This is the crime to commit,” said Bob Jarvis, who has taught … [Read more...]
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Notes on the Card Doctoring Scandal
More cards that appear to have been purchased, altered, graded and sold again continue to emerge through the research work of a small group of collectors in the Blowout Cards forum. While there is much we don't know, won't know for a while or may never know, here are a few more notes and some thoughts about what's happening. Impacted Cards, Sets While a wide … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: List of Doctored Cards Grows; Today Show on MLB Authentication, More
The extensive list of valuable vintage cards that appear to have been altered continues to grow and some iconic cards are not immune. On Thursday, a member of the Blowout Cards forum who has been researching potentially doctored cards revealed a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card that was originally graded as Altered, purchased for $7,877 in July of 2017, soaked in … [Read more...]
PSA “Conducting Own Investigation” Into Altered Cards
PSA has made its first public comments regarding the ongoing revelation of doctored sports cards made in an online hobby forum. A small group of collectors on the Blowout Cards message boards have spent the last few weeks offering before and after pictures of cards that had been purchased online, then altered to improve their appearance before being graded and sold again to … [Read more...]
PWCC: “Working with Law Enforcement, PSA” on Trimmed, Altered Cards
Under intense scrutiny from a group of collectors, one of the hobby's largest volume auction companies says it is working with law enforcement and PSA to address a growing number of cards sold on its platform that show evidence of trimming, re-coloring and other issues. PWCC Marketplace, based in Lake Oswego, OR, released a statement on the Net54 message board Sunday … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Online Tools, Dogged Collectors Put Focus on Card Makeovers
Hobby message boards have been buzzing with threads centered around a variety of questionable practices including cards that have been graded, cracked out of their holders and then reappear with fewer defects and higher grades. The image research by forum members to make those connections has resulted in enough glaring examples of both vintage and modern cards to make a … [Read more...]
“Aging” Baseball Cards: What to Watch For
Most of us would prefer to age gracefully. So would our baseball cards and vintage sports advertising pieces. Unfortunately there are some folks who'd rather do it for them. Another in our series on altered baseball cards. … [Read more...]
Card Alterations Can Include Bleaching
If that vintage baseball card looks a little too bright, chances are someone might have done a little doctoring...and maybe even gotten it past the grading company. Some tips on how to spot a 'chemically-altered' card from our mad scientist. … [Read more...]
Baseball Card Surgery: Rebuilt Corners Hard to Detect
Corner wear on a baseball card disappears when a card doctor has the right tools. Determining whether you have a card with rebuilt corners is no easy task, but when YOU have the right tools, it's possible. It's the latest in our series on altered sports cards. … [Read more...]
Can You Spot an Altered or Restored Baseball Card?
If it's not disclosed, sports card restoration can fool collectors. Can you spot evidence that shows the work of a card doctor? … [Read more...]
