Hi Green Faerie, I hope to bring you a little warmth by sharing how I see the signs of wear on my own decks !
I, like you, am taking very good care of my decks. And, for that matter, not only decks, but all the objects that I care for (books, pretty shoes, china teacups.....)
I systematicaly wash my hands carefully before shuffling or handling the cards
I keep each deck secure in a snug homemade bag, or in its original box if it is sturdy and pretty enough, and I keep all decks in a trunk in which they are carefully arranged so no deck risks bumping its corner or having its edge distorted in any way.
This trunk I keep in my bedroom on the second floor of the house (so it cannot be flooded in case the nearby river decides to overflow)
When I use the cards I clean the table AND use a spreadcloth to protect the cards ; I would never just casually spread the cards on any old surface.
I ask my querents to either wash their hands or spray their hands with my homemade spray cleanser, before they touch the cards. And I try to keep their touching the cards to a minimum.
But, my husband is different, he thinks that if an object is loved, it will show its wear, and that a perfect prim object is necessarily unused, hence unloved. He thinks that, if we love something, we use that someting, and that life being tough, the object in question will automatically show signs of having gone through some tough moments.
If I followed his lead, all my decks would be torn, wine/beer/juice spotted, sticky, sporting bent cards, with crumbs grating the lamination, missing cards etc.
When I think of it, I believe that both my husband and I are right in a way, and that the ideal is somewhere in between :
A totally pristine deck is difficult to maintain for long if it is indeed used.
A disrespected deck, full of smears and bent, will look sad.
But a deck that shows a discreet sign of wear or a bump will look good, if it also shows signs of having been well cared for and protected.
So yes, your Tarot Mucha does look loved and beautiful, and the bump on the side of the box is a discreet sign of character !
I hope this little shared piece of information and thought will cheer up your mind !