Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Spillane on March 4, 2020 at 3:57am

The top one I'm very comfortable with.The bottom one, it may be ok. I personally, don't trust it.

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Permalink Reply by R. Tanner on March 4, 2020 at 4:58am

Thanks John. Both of these photo's are being sold from a person that resides in my home town and they are listed online with no coa. The bottom one is the one I'm trying to gain trust with as well, the wood grain on the bat that the signature is signed over is throwing me off. While the signature has a slight Milky Mautle appearance, the signature also has good characteristics in the A, crossing of the T and E in Mantle. This is a very nice looking photograph and I would love to own it providing I can get determination that it's genuine. All other opinions and discussion welcome please. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on March 4, 2020 at 10:41am

No and no.

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Gonzalez on March 4, 2020 at 8:35pm

How much are they asking for? Top and botto
Prices

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Permalink Reply by R. Tanner on March 5, 2020 at 5:21pm

The seller continues to message me and swears that they are authentic, I tell him I'm sorry but I don't believe they are. He is offering me both photo's for $100. I've read through the discussions and I'm agreeing with Steve on the bottom one, however if the top one is fake it's a good attempted forgery. I'm really torn with the top one. I have decided to pass because I totally trust all the members here and I have minimal experience.   

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Permalink Reply by Michael Brown on March 4, 2020 at 10:33pm

Not even close..

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Permalink Reply by John Spillane on March 5, 2020 at 5:29am

What's not even close?  The top one is very close and I wouldn't be surprised if it was authentic. The bottom one, I agree, after looking at it again, and  didn't really trust it to begin with, I'm thinking, no way!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on March 5, 2020 at 6:25am

I believe these are from the same forger. The different pens give them a slightly different look, but they are strikingly similar in some key characteristics. I agree that they are skilled fakes... certainly a cut above the obvious junk fakes we typically see.

For what it is worth, when these first appeared on ebay, I discussed these exact items with one of the major TPAs. I can assure you they would not pass.

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Permalink Reply by John Spillane on March 6, 2020 at 4:00am

Thanks, Steve! The one thing that I've learned on here, if you have to question an autograph, why would you want it?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on March 6, 2020 at 4:26am

Exactly my friend. I strongly believe that these are both bad, however even on the slim chance that the top one was authentic, why would anyone want something in their collection that could be credibly questioned?

The fact that the seller is willing to let them both go for $100 is further evidence that somethings not right. These are fairly unique poses that you typically don’t see signed. If authentic with proper certification they would probably sell for around $250 each.

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Permalink Reply by Big Bad John on March 5, 2020 at 9:03am

I used to be able to spot a forgery on a Mantle photo.

The first one is very skilled if it's a forgery.

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