Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sports n Stuff on February 17, 2015 at 1:46pm

I didn't even notice that after seeing the first picture I didn't need to see anymore.

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Permalink Reply by joshua on October 23, 2014 at 8:38am

what a horrendous ball

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Permalink Reply by Rock G III on February 18, 2015 at 7:05am

Why are we bumping old topics? hmm

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Permalink Reply by Michael M on March 11, 2015 at 6:07pm

Hi all,

I'm a totally newbie to the complexities of professional grade autograph collecting, but this thread caught my eye and I hope someone can answer my question.

Everybody seems to agree that this guy's ball is terrible. But I'm really curious what everyone sees that guarantees it's a fraud. Can anyone point out some specifics?

You see, I'm really curious because I, too, have a 500 HR Club ball (plus Koufax & Drysdale), and when I look at this signatures, most of them seem pretty close to mine.

I know mine is real because I got them all myself at BB Card shows in the 80's & 90's, but at first glance, the only difference I see is the whiteness of the ball. Mine is a Bart Giamatti era ball, and it was pure white when I started collecting, but over the years it's gotten a bit dirty from the handling. (I keep it under glass, but it actually looks game-used now)

So, what makes his ball so obviously bad? I'm really curious. With my limited experience (and slight guilelessness), I might wonder if it's real, but everyone here seems to be able tell instantly. I love a bit of insight.  

Also, I'm never going to sell mine, but it never occurred to me to keep any receipts or documents. (I may have saved a few, but only a few, at best.)

I really am a newbie here, so this might have an obvious answer, but is there anything I can do to establish the authenticity with anything but my good word?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

If anyone's interested, here's who I have: Koufax; Drysdale; Aaron & Williams in the sweet spot. (It's kinda funny - Aaron was there first, but Ted W was kind of a jerk and signed over Aaron. He said he only signs the sweet spot) Mantle, Reggie, F. Robinson, Mays & McCovey; Killebrew, Mattews. Murray & Banks

I'd still like to add Bonds & McGwire, and possibly Kershaw on the same panel as Sandy & Don.

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on March 11, 2015 at 6:10pm

Study autographs, Michael. Do it every day.  It takes a long time to train your eyes to see the obvious.

As for the above laughable "500 Homerun Club" set of forgeries, they are obvious forgeries to those that have studied, and continue to study and look at autographs on a daily basis.

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Permalink Reply by Michael M on March 11, 2015 at 7:35pm

Thanks for the reply, Christopher.

I just asked terrier8HOF this same question:

Can you point out any one or two you find particularly heinous?

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on March 11, 2015 at 6:34pm

Michael forgeries are intended to look like authentic examples. Some are better than others. This one is truly pathetic.

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Permalink Reply by Michael M on March 11, 2015 at 7:34pm

Thanks for the reply.

Can you point out any one or two you find particularly heinous?

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on March 11, 2015 at 8:52pm

All the signatures are off. The Mike Schmidt if you check authentic examples you've got to see some differences. The Robinson in Frank R is esp bad. Take good looks at them, cant Ernie banks spell his name? Good luck and really look at these signatures, they are truly terrible.

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