Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on July 21, 2018 at 2:25pm

There are incredibly good Babe Ruth forgeries, and I understand that some have been getting by authenticators for years. If you are buying at an auction with no return privilege or guarantee, be especially careful.

I think that Steve Grad is the best on Ruth, hands down. Beckett doesn't do online opinions,  though. Can you buy it conditional on it passing BAS?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel S. on July 21, 2018 at 3:17pm

Thanks Steve.  I doubt that such a condition would fly with this auction house.  It would certainly be nice to have Grad’s thoughts on this one. I would guess that it is legit but to your point, the forgers are getting quite proficient at replicating his signature.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on July 21, 2018 at 4:03pm

I'd get a Quick Opinion from PSA/DNA for starters. Are there more images? Post them if there are.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on July 21, 2018 at 3:50pm

Superficially, it looks good to me, but I too would want something to back it up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on July 21, 2018 at 4:08pm

it looks like it was signed last week

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on July 21, 2018 at 4:13pm

This is one of those that must be examined in person.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on July 21, 2018 at 4:15pm

very true Chris

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel S. on July 21, 2018 at 4:22pm

Thanks guys. I will request additional photos and post upon receipt.  Just to clarify, you would request psa dna opinion, even with the JSA full LOA.  I agree that this would be a very insignificant investment for additional piece of mind.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on July 21, 2018 at 4:34pm

PSA has the most cache and market respect in vintage baseball so that would help protect your investment. I would want Grad's opinion no matter what. I don't know anyone that holds a candle to him on Ruth.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on July 21, 2018 at 4:30pm

Agreed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Woody2Shoes on July 21, 2018 at 8:09pm

Terrier wrote: "it looks like it was signed last week"

I'd say it looks more like it was signed within the last year.

It's not bad, but there are three idiosyncrasies that stand out about the signature itself, and what really strikes me is that I've seen this signature before. Verbatim! An exact duplicate because the three idiosyncrasies are identical and memorable.

I have to look through the Ruth forgeries and genuine exemplars I've saved and also online images of I haven't saved. Could take awhile, could find it right away. I'll start looking. But I have seen this precise signature before and on something other than this photo, I have a strong feeling that it was on a blank field (some type of postcard, cut, or scrapbook).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on July 21, 2018 at 8:56pm

Yes, the autograph looks bold and fresh. Needs more and better images to get a better idea what's going on in that regard.

If you have a matching exemplar that's a different story of course. 

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page