Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Morris on January 27, 2020 at 11:28pm

I don't know his early rookie and early Lakers graphs too well but I don't like it. Any more information, a better photo etc?

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Permalink Reply by James on January 28, 2020 at 2:05am

Doesn’t Probestein have the reputation of only taking on authentic items for their Auctions?  I agree with Dan.  I don’t really like it.  But I also don’t know his very-early-career style autograph.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Phelps on January 28, 2020 at 4:20am

If it is any consolation this may tip the scales the autographed basketball rookie card was sold with a scoreboard inc authentic slip out of New Jersey which we all know has its reputation problems. 

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Permalink Reply by wascher on January 28, 2020 at 5:06am

James I've seen MJ items that I would not want from Probstein

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Permalink Reply by John Spillane on January 28, 2020 at 5:35am

Probstein123 is more than credible. I don't think they're selling forgeries, knowingly. I've seen a few forgery mantle items listed by them on eBay, slip through the cracks. It can happen. They rely a lot on the COA that  accompanies the item. I've bought plenty of items over the years and have had no problem.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Phelps on January 28, 2020 at 4:21am

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on January 28, 2020 at 11:55am

Rick (Probstein123) has ZERO knowledge of autographs.

He doesn't care.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Morris on January 28, 2020 at 12:26pm

Agreed, they just mass sell any consignments whether real or fake! I still don't like it!

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Permalink Reply by Woody2Shoes on January 28, 2020 at 12:56pm

I don't like it either. Why would someone have Kobe do a signing and use those oversized $1.00 thrift shop markers instead of a Sharpie? Also, an early signature would be chronologically inconsistent with the use of this cheaply made, overseas marking pen, its color and track are very distinctive and highly recognizable. One ebay forger uses it all the time for everything signed, 70s to present. Too cheap to buy Sharpies it seems. lol

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Permalink Reply by TradeGeek on January 29, 2020 at 2:17pm

Where to begin! 

As others have said, the biggest issue is the terrible pen! There is NO WAY Scoreboard or Press Pass would have had him sign anything with that pen. 

I believe this is a forgery. For these reasons. 

1. The cards was manufactured by Press Pass. A nearly identical card was produced by Press Pass and Kobe was paid to autograph those cards. They have a back that states that the card is autographed. This card is the silver version of the non-autographed card. It was not signed on behalf of press pass. Nor would Scoreboard have had Kobe sign a card manufactured by Press Pass, a direct competitor. 

2. Scoreboard did have Kobe sign cards in 1996. They were Scoreboard branded cards. They also had special backs which stated the card was autographed. 

3. Scoreboard sold legit autographs. But their COAs were garbage. There was nothing (like a serial #) to link the COA with any given item. They are also incredibly easy to fake. A scanner, some paper stock and an ink jet printer could quite effectively reproduce a Scoreboard COA. It is also common to see a legit Scoreboard COA being sold along side a forged autograph. 

In 1996, Kobe signed for both Scoreboard and Press Pass. But the signed cards had distinctive backs. And there is no way a Scoreboard COA would be associated with a press pass autograph. 

Here is are legit examples. 

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