1973 Topps Hank Aaron -- Trimmed or Miscut?

[towerymt]

Here's the listing:
https://ebay.com/itm/176210534938

The photo of the back showed something weird going on at the upper right corner.

I have next to zero experience with the '73 set, or 70s sets in general. This is a PC card and was never going to be sent for grading. I was seeking a well centered example, approximately ex-mt condition. I got outbid on a couple of PSA-6 before finding this one which suits my collection just fine.

Upper left corner, front:
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330280.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330281.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330286.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330295.jpg

Same corner, from reverse side:
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330290.jpg

Left edge, front:
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330282.jpg

Additional rough spot pointed out ~1/3 down the edge
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330279.jpg

Lining up with another card:
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330277.jpg

Looks heavy at the upper left corner. Slightly wider than the other card
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330278.jpg

Lower left
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330283.jpg

Lower right
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330284.jpg

Upper right
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330285.jpg

Back corners:
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330289.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330288.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330287.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330293.jpg

Upper right corner viewed from reverse (so upper left, on the back)
https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330296.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330276.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330294.jpg

Looks trimmed, but I'm thinking it's a factory miscut.

Who would leave that chunk on the upper left edge? Width appears to be correct at the bottom edge and slightly large at the top edge. All four corners have pretty even wear. Both long edges on the back have similar chipping (whiting) except the area near the upper corner that sticks out, and the edge between that corner and the rough spot about 1/3 the way down the edge likely wouldn't have touched against a box or other cards as much as the rest of the edge.

It reminds me of this PSA-6 2018 Topps Update US300 Juan Soto that has an O-Pee-Chee-like rough cut and shows a similar "crease" line along the tearing cut.

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/170726561.jpg

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/170726588.jpg

I posted a similar thread (https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1491862) once before about a '57 Yankees Power Hitters and got very good response, so trying this again.

Thanks!

[smanzari]

Neither. I suspect that was incorrectly screwed down in a recessed screw down (they didn't center it correctly); either way, I'd keep looking if you're on the prowl for a "6"

[mjohnatgt]

That would explain the ridge. However, I would think the additional paper on the top left is due to a bad factory cut vs. trimming.

[Daddymc]

That would explain the ridge. However, I would think the additional paper on the top left is due to a bad factory cut vs. trimming.

I agree with this.

[smanzari]

That would explain the ridge. However, I would think the additional paper on the top left is due to a bad factory cut vs. trimming.

I agree with this.

I really think the screw down is still the culprit for both that and the ridge, probably had it screwed incorrectly and fixed it, a few times

[towerymt]

Thanks, all.

I didn't consider the pinched-in-a-screw-down theory.

I thought spots like this that show a a bit of a line, like the indentation line seen up near the corner, but the surface paper is missing along that line. It's certainly plausible that the crimp pressure caused the surface paper to break away...I just didn't think that's what happened.

Also, the line stops in places along the border. I don't think I have a photo that shows that clearly.

https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174330282.jpg

I haven't owned many rough cut o-pee-chee cards to look at them under magnification, so I wasn't at all certain if this was a miscut from a dull (?) utensil. But I was leaning that way.

------

Someone asked via private message about the photos. Samsung Galaxy S10+ shot through an 18x loupe. For the edge shots, I stand the card on edge and hold it up with a couple of post-it note pads, but anything could work, two slabs could work to hold the card up. Sharp focus on the edge can be tough, so some of these are the best of 3-4 shots from similar angles.

[corndog]

I can only give the factory printing perspective from many years in the commercial printing industry on presses and bindery equipment that regularly handle up to 40" sheets.

A cut like that is virtually impossible on a guillotine cutter which was commonly used in all commercial print shops at that time.
When sheets of paper are cut in loads of 2 to 3 inches at a time, all cuts will be straight.
There can be miscuts of the image area (whether cut incorrectly or a sheet misguide on the press) but not uneven cuts.

The card doesn't look trimmed so damage from a screwdown makes sense.
The edge looks like it was pinched from compression.
You could probably replicate it on a junk card if you have a screwdown.