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Authenticators... How can anyone say who is good and who isn't?

Hey guys, thank you for allowing me into the group. I do have some frustrations to express and I see it all as good honest chat, so please no one take offence as none is meant, lol.

I have been reading some of the posts in there and it seems like people like to slam some but not others. I see, Morales, Drew Max for example are some who seem to take alot of hits, yet I have seen a lot of issues with PSA/DNA as well.... At the end of the day, its strictly an opinion and nothing more..... I have several HUGE autographs, some of which I know are authentic just by the source they came from.

I have a Shoeless Joe Jackson ball that would have been signed after his playing days (and no, not by his wife, but the ball was signed by himself) but it came from a very close family relative who personally had it signed back in the day and it sat in their house for decades, it doesn't get any more genuine than that, yet when I posted a picture of it, people were quick to slam it because apparently they know it all... or do they?

Unfortunately, this industry has taken a pounding because of the a-holes who have mad a business of screwing people, I get that... but everyone also thinks they are an expert, and in some cases, people really have no clue.

As a 15 year old, I was a purchaser for several card stores here in Ontario Canada, I know Hockey Cards better than most.... I wanted to see how Beckett would rank their grading compared to my own education.... I brought it to them at a huge show we have here in Toronto 2 times a year.... they said at the time that the card should be ranked a 5 out of 10. I agreed.... 3 weeks later, their apparent "Hockey Expert" sent it back to me as a 2.5.... now, I didn't knock him out like I wanted too, lol. But I did approach them at the next show, they were embarrassed and asked me to resubmit it, it still came back less, I called them to ask.... they had no idea.... its now going back for a 3rd time.... and these are professionals who advertise as being so....

Now, getting back onto autographs, when I didn't tell people the story behind it, they said it was a fake, then when I said the story behind it, their opinions started to change..... so, at the end of the day... who is right and who isn't?

I do think that they try their best to get it right, but who will ever be 100%, not going to happen. People talk about the bad situations with Morales and Max, but I am willing to bet, they have gotten it right WAY more than not and they probably have the same winning % as PSA/DNA in the long run....

I usually don't comment on things but I do believe that in the end, if your gut tells you its good, then your most of the time going to be bang on... and no one should let that take the fun of collecting away from things. Be careful, educate yourself and make the best decision possible. I don't think guys like Max and Morales are any worse than the others to be totally honest and I have been collecting for MANY Years.... and lets not forget, people can very easily post things online that can seriously effect someones reputation and if you do your homework as suggested... it seems all of them have negative feeds posted on them....

Just my thoughts guys, again, not looking to insult anyone, but I think some posts can be a bit much....

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Permalink Reply by Mike T on December 29, 2015 at 6:59am

I already answered that.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 29, 2015 at 7:09am

And I don't care, I have said that. I'd rather look at the signature one might be questioning. I don't buy assign authenticity on papers or names. Or stories.

Eric

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 29, 2015 at 6:58am

Mark,

This sounds like quite a collection - "...my personal collection would outweigh most in here..."? Could you show us some of this personal collection? I'd like to see such material!

Eric

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on December 31, 2015 at 6:17am

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Permalink Reply by Fuddjcal on December 31, 2015 at 7:21am

exactly Mark. But when you make idiotic statements, about Maxipad and Moraless it just makes you look plain stupid. Sorry for the brashness, but sometimes the truth can be painful. I seriously don't hold it against you.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 29, 2015 at 6:23am

Mark,

Mike does have a point. This has been circuitous with comparatively little discussion of the ball and ink - what tangible evidence do you have? You make the claim it is genuine, said you know so, the honus is obviously on you. Questions are to be expected.

Can you point to other examples of fountain pen signatures that share these unusual characteristics? In what year does "the source" say this was signed BTW?

The story you mention would be part of part of provenance - what is proven?

Eric

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Permalink Reply by Mark on December 29, 2015 at 6:50am

Because I don't have another sample sitting beside me here doesn't make something a fake.... Just like a few posts from people who haven't seen the ball in person also doesn't make it a fake....

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 29, 2015 at 7:15am

Mark,

I meant online as far as examples of balls like this (this ink appearance from fountain pen). That would be a fine start.

OK - you have seen the ball - what is the proof?

If this all based on a story, just say so. I'll be on my merry way. If you have any tangible evidence - show it. Explain the unusual characteristics, the odd appearance, or not. It's up to you. But, you did bring it up. Let's grant that you have seen this ball and know it to be 40 years old. That still does not have anything to do with the problems the ball exhibits. Do you think the appearance of this ink is typical? If not, why?

Eric

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Permalink Reply by sling on December 29, 2015 at 10:04am

You should be able to identify whether the ball was one a kid would buy or whether it is a major league ball

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 29, 2015 at 7:53am

Just like repeating it is real doesn't make it real.

Further, if it is granted that you have seen the ball for 40 years and it is 60 years old - the same questions remain and you have all your work still ahead of you - if you are going to repeat the claim it is genuine.

Eric

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on December 29, 2015 at 8:02am

Because Joe Jackson was illiterate, when he signed documents, he would "copy" his wife's handwriting. She also answered his fan mail. it seems a stretch that Mr. Jackson, would sign a baseball on his own, as is presented here. She apparently assisted him in the rare occasion that he did sign.