... alterations and deception:

>> It's a shame that some folks will have to bring magnifying glasses
>> to these future trade sessions and round-robin examinations...

I couldn't agree more about that. The need to use a magnifying glass (and/or a jeweler's loupe) was one of the things I came to dislike about collecting both coins and trading cards.

>> Perhaps slot card collectors will have to be more careful and document whom
>> they got their blank cards from in the event claims may be made at a later date....

I make a note of the source of every chip I collect (though not for the purpose of preparing for a later claim). Not that difficult and doesn't take much time, even in a free-wheeling trading session.

>> ... just like the brass core issue.... so that willing witnesses can cooperate with an
>> ongoing investigation ... just like the brass core issue. After all, failure to
>> cooperate seems to be the main focus of the present investigation going on.

Seems to me that Mel was expelled for something more serious than failing to cooperate.

>> Please tell me what your definition of your term "perceived problem"
>> is regarding the brass-core issue.

I was referring to the "perceived problem" of repairs and restoration, not the fraudulent sale of "non-genuine" brass cores, which is a real problem.

>> I don't personally collect brass cores (like you don't collect slot cards)
>> but I'm sure there are folks reading your post who might want to know.

I do collect brass cores and I'm not happy about what has happened with them. However, as you know, I believe the primary blame falls on the dishonest dealers who took advantage of their collector friends.

>> Is it that you don't view any of this as a problem ... or is it a matter
>> of "perception" on the part of others who do view it as a problem?

There is no question that there is a problem. On the other hand, as you know, we disagree to some extent on exactly what that problem is.

----- jim o\-S