We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

Real Babe Ruth?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 26, 2019 at 8:59pm

Thanks for the tip. I have it out to both now

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 28, 2019 at 7:36am

Should I be concerned that Beckett said likely to pass. And PSA said unable to render an opinion?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 26, 2019 at 7:44pm

Hi datitguy,

Yes, I read that. Good idea before you buy. It's not unusual for forgers to copy all or part of an autograph from PSA's database, especially on vintage sports, so I often check it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 27, 2019 at 10:19am

Interesting, Steve. Makes one look twice and take a pause, that Ruth you showed...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 31, 2019 at 6:43pm

So something interesting, Steve. This example was penned in 1938.

today when removing the piece, the post card was dated to 1937. So we know the exact year Ruth potentially signed it.

two examples within one year with the wider Y in sincerely

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Spillane on October 28, 2019 at 8:58am

That happened to me, with a Clemente. I purchased one with a JSA and for s**** and giggles I wanted to see how reliable the PSA quick opinion was, since I'd gotten mixed reviews about them. It was only $10. Anyway, they got back to me in a day, and they couldn't render an opinion either way. I'm really under the impression that they just want our money. If it's a Mantle, Williams or DiMaggio they'll come right back with a opinion, but like a Gehrig or a Ruth, or like my Clemente anything high-end high price, they want to get paid for it. The fact that Beckett came back with a thumbs up, I think, hopefully you should be ok.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 28, 2019 at 9:04am

I decided to low ball the guy with $1100 and he accepted it!!!

I already called EBay and they said if JSA doesn’t authenticate it I get a full refund

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on October 28, 2019 at 2:53pm

I’m a little concerned about the price. The framing alone could cost a few hundred or more. So let’s just be conservative and say it’s $300 for framing. Then it’s like you got the Ruth for $800 which would be insanely cheap. A real nice Ruth like that could go for $3000 to $5000 on paper I would think.

I’m concerned that it could even be a reproduction of an authentic Ruth. And to determine that it would need to be taken out of the frame and inspected by hand. To get a full authentication from PSA, PSA, I believe would require the item to be removed from the frame.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 28, 2019 at 2:56pm

He paid $950 for it apparently. He doesn't seem like an avid sports collector, and doesn't normally sell things on Ebay checking his feedback profile.

Based on the opinions here, and that Beckett said it was likely to pass full authentication I put an offer in on it.

No pun intended, I either hit a home run.. Or I struck out out and I am going to lose the $200 JSA authentication fee.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on October 28, 2019 at 3:00pm

Well...if JSA gives you a full letter on it, I would feel pretty good about it. Will they look at it outside the frame?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ITguy1984 on October 28, 2019 at 3:19pm

They advised against sending it in the frame because of the potential of the carrier breaking the glass and a shard piercing the signature.

I am pretty emotionally invested in it at this point.. I am hoping it passes JSA, and I am still debating sending it to Beckett, although it will cost me $90 additional to send it to Beckett.

They garnered a bit more respect in my eyes as I sent another Ruth signature that I thought looked pretty close today before I paid for this one and they said it was likely not genuine.

And then the thought crosses your mind, do they say that so they can get the $300 authentication fee?

Also one thing is certain, if it's fake.. Its a pretty elaborate fake. The paper age and the feathering from the fountain pen all look good.

Is woody our resident Ruth specialist?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 28, 2019 at 5:34pm

We don't have a resident Babe Ruth specialist. Ask eBay if they will let you return due to authenticity concerns it if you have to remove the autograph from the frame to authenticate it.