Complimentary Programmes and no staples

[Alytheeagle]

Just want to put this out amongst you.
1. Do issues that have Complimentary stamped on the cover detract from their value in your opinion.
2. Same for programmes which have had their staples removes prior to any rusting.
My answer to 1 is No and for 2, I would much rather have a programme with no staples than heavy rust marks.
Interesting to see what others think.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Agree totally with 1 & 2.

[Super Hoopy]

I would say No to both.
Ive got several QPR programmes in my collection that the club had stamped 'complimentary ' across the top mainly in the early to mid 50s.
It doesn't bother me as its the club that have done that and not someone who has written that afterwards.
On the subject of staples, I tend to take the ones out of any wartime and pre-war programmes.
I don't want the programme to rust burn/ bleed any further.
I know someone that doesn't but they have a de-humidifier going 24 hours to suck out any moisture in the air in the room they keep the programmes..

[holtie96]

Oh heck, I never touch mine, better get into storage and rescue some of my pre war rusting programmes!

[Dorking]

I don't really like ones with complimentary stamped on the front

I prefer staples intact, even if it means a rusty stain, I hate opening the programme and the pages are all loose, the rust makes it more authentic to me, and I like that I have to treat it extra delicately

[Fishy]

Personally I'm not bothered by either.
There are certainly collectors who don't like the idea of missing staples but I would prefer to keep the programme contents in a good condition.
_________________
Millwall league AWAYS wanted
45/6 Newport; Swansea; Leicester.
47/8 Coventry.
48/9 Newport.
49/0 Walsall; Exeter.
50/1 Port Vale.
51/2 Port Vale 1/5.
52/3 Swindon.

[Rocky]

A couple of old threads on the same topic.

http://www.footballprogrammece.....ty+staples

http://www.footballprogrammece.....ty+staples
_________________
www.middlesbroughfccollection.co.uk

https://www.flickr.com/photos/187311548@N07/albums

https://www.flickr.com/photos/117760314@N07/albums

[Alytheeagle]

Thanks everyone for your replies

[Footyfan]

The League Football magazine in 1971 (Issue No 704) includes an article on a guy called Roger Cleveland, who was believed to be the UK's No 1 collector at the time. selling up due to emigration to NZ.

Roger Cleveland advised on removing staples to prevent rusting.

At the end of the day it is a personal choice. I know from my own collection that for some reason certain clubs programmes had a serious issue with rusting staples, particularly Norwich City (1972/73 Season progs) and Ipswich Town (1974/75) U have tried to replace my Ipswich v Leeds 74/5 programme with a copy with good staples but have yet to find a good copy