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Authenticity is Everything
The GAI Mantle, DiMaggio & Ted Williams Hoard—Are They All Forgeries?
A hoard of thousands Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams signed photos have flooded the market over the last few years. All authenticated by Global Authentication Inc., with COAs signed by former GAI executive Mike Baker.
The hoard has driven down prices on these legendary Baseball Hall of Famers by 50-percent or more, and it's not rare to find one for well under $50.
The problem?
Every baseball expert we asked is emphatic that they're forgeries. And they've had that same opinion since the hoard came out of Florida in 2008.
If the experts are right—and I don't doubt that they are—not only are thousands of collectors stuck with these worthless photos. Thousands more have unfairly suffered a catastrophic drop in the value of their genuine Mantles, DiMaggios and Williams due to the flood of fakes.
And as we all know, GAI went bankrupt in 2009 after certing thousands of forgeries of Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, Koufax, etc.
Why Do So Many Think They're Forgeries? Let's find out!
If you're a regular collector like me, it's hard to tell good Mantles from decent forgeries. DiMaggios and Williams are easier, but I'd never buy without an expert opinion. So I thought it would be a great education for those experienced in these autographs—experts and experienced collectors—to show us why they're so widely considered forgeries.
I've included a few of the GAI authenticated photos to start with. Feel free to upload more. Ask questions, share your knowledge...and help make collecting these Hall of Famers safer for everyone!
Look at all this garbage!!!
Forged and mass-produced Mantle and Williams forgeries. Worthless COA from GAI and Mike Baker.
Forged and mass-produced forged Mickey Mantle photo. Pathetic.
This is one of dozens forged Mickey Mantle business cards that were "authenticated" by GAI and Mike Baker. Pure garbage.
GAI (Mike Baker) "authenticated" hundreds of Mickey Mantle forgeries on the below image.
Laughable Mantle forgery.
Here is a mass-produced set of Mantle and Williams forgeries.
GAI "authenticated" thousands of forgeries before they went bankrupt in 2009.
Tags: authenticate, authentication, baseball., dimaggio, forgeries, gai, genuine, global, hall, joe, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on
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That's a good one, DB.
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Mr, Marino, what "tales" are you referring to?
My cat has a "tail."
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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on
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Hi Joe,
What do we need to do that we aren't? Seriously...I want to know if we're missing something. Always open to new ideas.
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As for Chris, though. No one works harder at exposing those forgeries than he does. He's one of my heroes.
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Steve, I appreciate that, but I'm no hero. There are a lot of great people on this site who stick their necks to expose the sellers of forgeries.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on
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He is one of my heroes to. He exposes them in such an entertaining way. I get a kick out of it.
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Permalink Reply by James Wymer on
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Why don't you do more big shot!!!
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Permalink Reply by frank johnson on
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Ebay has to change their policies. I don't understand why they honor these bogus items. They consider them genuine. What can be done about it.
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Permalink Reply by T M EVANS on
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Does this Joey Votto Game Used Batting Glove look legit? The cert says its just a signed Joey Votto Batting Glove. The seller says PSA/DNA does verity game used items. Is it possible the G/U was added later??? Thanks for any help.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on
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There appears to also be an MLB authentic hologram. That should tell you if it is GU.
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Another ugly Mickey Mantle forgery with a GAI cert (The Mike Baker Collection).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mickey-Mantle-Autographed-Signed-8-x-10-GAI...
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