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Is everything from GAI fake?

I was thinking recently about the amount of fakes that are authenticated by GAI, so I went through my items and located 5 pieces authenticated by them. I looked up the corresponding number on their website (what's left of it anyway) and found that two items aren't even listed. The database shows no item exists. Two of the three items I know are legit as they were from a private Willie Mays signing a few years back and included the Say Hey authentication plus the MLB authentication. The other three I believe are bad. Two are Stan Musial 8x10's and one is Bart Starr 8x10.

What I find interesting is that you would assume that people who have legitimate authentic photo's used the GAI service. There should be a quantity that are real! But, it appears that almost everything I come across is FAKE! Did they authenticate anything real, or did they have a network set up where they had people produce known forgeries and then they authenticated them? It seems to be the latter. I wish I could remember who I bought these three from and contact them. You wouldn't think they would spend their time on Musial and Starr. Any opinions on this?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 2, 2011 at 5:53pm

OK, you love birds, that's enough.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 2, 2011 at 9:09pm

Mike, you commented on the discussion yesterday after I asked you, Christine and your other friends not to keep chatting about your side topic in this discussion. She replied to your recent post.

The next one of you who comments about each other in this discussion is getting voted off the island.

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Permalink Reply by christine murphy on August 2, 2011 at 9:14pm

I was going to keep it cool. as you asked, but Airing started up again, as you said. If you want to remove me that is fine, but you need to be in more control of who you allow to comment on your forum.

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Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on August 3, 2011 at 6:05am

Attention all collectors !! I found one....GAI got this one right...a Derek Jeter auto authenticated by the infamous GAI...this is a good piece currently up for auction and in my personal opinion 100% authentic

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Permalink Reply by Myke Furhman on December 2, 2011 at 11:03am

Alright... new to the board, so I just read through 16 pages of a babbling idiot vs. some cool headed people. Please don't respond to me, because I will not respond to you, unless you can read and write at an adult level. Capital letters and punctuation are everyone's friends on a message board.

Oh, and I'm not Christine, I'm not Justin, I'm Myke Furhman. Google me, Facebook me, whatever.

That being said, I came here when I discovered the subject was if GAI can be trusted... yes, that was the topic, prior to Slanderfest 2011. I have only two GAI items... a Tom Brady jersey and a Manny Pacquiao boxing glove. One is Sipe, one is Baker. I'm tempted to send both into PSA/DNA, but I'm not sure if removing the stickers should be done prior to my doing that. Does PSA ever fail items for having another sticker on them?

Also while we're here, what's the group consensus on AAU? Drew and his magnifying glass has been all over Pawn Stars authenticating some pretty rare signatures... but does his cert hold any weight? I'd like to send an AAU 500 HR Club ball to PSA/DNA, but also fear their failing it due to the AAU sticker.

Thanks all,

Myke

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on December 2, 2011 at 11:18am

Hi Myke:

I don't think the GAI sticker adds value to the jersey and glove in any case, so I'd remove them no matter what. I'm sure as a policy PSA or JSA does not fail based on a prior sticker, but they are human and I can't imagine it doesn't weigh on their minds... even if it is subconscious.

There are currently a number of threads on Drew Max/AAU here and multiple examples of his work are posted. Some are recent so they are not hard to find.

There are some pretty experienced collectors here and I'm sure if you posted the 500 HR ball you'd quickly get some informed opinions.

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Permalink Reply by christine murphy on December 2, 2011 at 11:22am

I have had PSA pass items with other authenticators stickers on them, so I would leave them on. Just to let you know though PSA is not always right. I just had them reject an item of mine and I put it through a different authenticator at PSA and it passed. I knew it was good. I had to pay twice for the same piece 50.00 each time. The upside of PSA is, you will get more value for the item if it has there sticker becuase they were one of the first to get there name out there in the autograph world.

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Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on December 2, 2011 at 11:58am

Whats up Myke and welcome...

As far as GAI is concerned they have been affiliated with authenticating MANY forgeries...not saying your items are fake...but they should be looked at very carefully...GAI has authenticated authentic items as well...there also know as GA...as far as there stuff is concerned I would not buy anything just because there name has been so badly tainted...even if there authentic...but as far as your items being good or bad it may be best to send them into PSA...if there good your certs shouldn't hold any bearing on them...now I have seen PSA throw there sticker onto items previously certified...but if PSA authenticates them I would personally remove them but thats totally up to you...

As far as Drew himself...I have seen that has authenticated bad items...not to take anything away from AAU...

I would also like to add as Mr.Zipper says if you post your pics of your 500 home run ball...myself...Mr.zipper....and or Christopher Williams can give you really solid opinion on it...I have seen many good and bad pieces...if its bad it will stick out like a sore thumb...the picture below is a very common forged style of the 500 Home Run Club ball...

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Permalink Reply by Myke Furhman on December 2, 2011 at 12:21pm

Chris posts here huh? I haven't seen one of his Coach's Commode videos in months, I thought Scott and Lee kidnapped him...

Yup that's the style all right... Teddy and Mick on the sweet spot...did they ever do that on the real ones? Is it still worth sending into PSA? Is this forum set up so that I can upload photos directly from my iPhone?

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Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on December 2, 2011 at 12:29pm

If the autos on your ball look like these don't bother sending it in...But not actually seeing your piece its hard to judge because Ted and Micky have signed the sweet spot on authentic pieces as well....but if the letter formation matches this forged ball then I am sorry to say that the ball is no good...but once again I would rather render an opinion after actually seeing a photo...I think you can upload from your phone but I never done so

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Permalink Reply by Myke Furhman on December 2, 2011 at 12:59pm

Looks similar, albeit a few minor differences. The size of "illiam" is a lot more consistent than what's in the image you sent above.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on December 2, 2011 at 1:17pm

Unfortunately, the ball depicted above is a certain forgery. The Mantle with the spiked topped Ms with the banana shaped loops under the Ms is a dead giveaway.