Crackin' Slabs

It's Sunday, so no returns obviously, but I am getting some cards ready to send out to some signings.

I've decided to go all in on some Hall of Fame rookie cards, so I bought Cal Ripken Jr.'s 1982 Topps Traded. It was more expensive than several of the cards I recently bought from the 60's, although it's in better condition.  I just couldn't see getting a card signed from 1982 that wasn't just about perfect.  And, centering is my biggest pet peeve so it took a while to find just the right one.  I will also get his "true" rookie card signed, the 1982 Future Stars card featuring him, Bob Bonner and Jeff Schneider.

Today, I cracked his 1982 Topps Traded as well as a 1971 Topps Yaz card that I'm also sending in to get signed.

My son helped my with a few "how-to" posts on cracking cards from various companies such as this one for a Beckett slab, this one for a GAI slab, and this one for a PSA slab.

The slabs have changed a bit over time, but the process is the same: using a chisel and hammer, crack the plastic along the seams until you can use the chisel to pry the front and back halves of the slab apart.  Of course, you need to be careful that the chisel doesn't touch the card, and when you are able to pry the halves apart, don't let the card fall to the table/floor.  It will, without a doubt, land squarely on a corner and reduce the grade by 2-3 levels :-).  Also, be sure to wear eye protection because the little pieces of plastic that go flying are pretty sharp!

Now it's time to package them up and send them off.  SCN was down for a while today, but it appears back up now so I can print out my trades to include with these submissions and package them up for mailing tomorrow.