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...]
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: Doctored Cards Keep Coming
Since we wrote of the card doctoring scandal a couple of weeks ago, dozens more altered cards have been uncovered by members of the Blowout Cards message board. From key modern era rookie cards to T206s, it’s clear that far more than just a few have entered the market through the destructive skills of some folks looking to rake a profit through fraud perpetrated on … [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...]
Talk of Doctored Cards Like Steroids
There has been a lot of discussion lately about doctored sports cards; the practice of altering to change a valuable card's appearance. It's generally done to enhance the likelihood that a grading company will miss the alteration and give the card a better grade. Some collectors who see the evidence of repaired corners and trimming are outraged, but it reminds me of the … [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...]