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Remember Scoreboard?

I was going through some of my collection today and I came across some items from Scoreboard which I had purchased via Mr. Phil Spector and invoiced through Scoreboard (early 1990's). As I remember a lot of scammers sold items with Scoreboard COA's because they were so easily duplicated. Was there any evidence of fraud directly from within Scoreboard? They had exclusive contracts with Joe DiMaggio and Nolan Ryan back in the day. They were a huge company between the memorabilia and Classic games/cards. I recall that they did have a good reputation. Can anyone fill me in on the whole Scoreboard rise and fall from fame? Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 1, 2012 at 7:18pm

Thanks Harry, That article reinforces my thoughts that they were the major player in the memorabilia market. Was there ever corruption/fraud from within or was it the simple and easily duplicated COA that made bad items come to market with Scorboard certs? Of course this made Scorboard items death. I guess what I'm asking is did they ever produce fake memorabilia or was it the phtocopied cert the downfall?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 1, 2012 at 9:39pm

Great topic. I remember in the early/mid 90's, Scoreboard was easily one of the most recognized names in sports autographs alongside UDA. In fact, SB and UDA are about the only big name sports autograph companies that I can recall from that period (though there were obviously others). Seems like the big problem with this company were the issues already discussed - poor COAs and a weaker and weaker market foothold as the sports autograph business expanded. I believe the actual Scoreboard items themselves were among the safer bets back in the day. I can't really present any hard evidence, I just recall that being the sentiment.

I only clearly remember one other thing - Spector was advertised as working for a really, really shady autograph company down (Rock n' Sports maybe?) in Florida by around 1996 or 1997. It was one of those businesses similar to CPG Direct/Truly Unique Collectibles that just looked like a bad idea to go near, advertising amazing (and improbable) items in bulk at bargain basement prices.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 2, 2012 at 4:35am

Thanks for the insight Richard. When I first met Phil it was through Scoreboard and then in person at the Gloria Rothstein shows in White Plains, NY. Often I'd order Scoreboard stuff and pick it up at the show (saved postage if I was already going). The last items I got from Phil were invoiced on his name but obviously it was a converted Scoreboard invoice as I recall and then maybe a handwritten invoice after that. Stopped doing business with them about that time. I'm going to dig through my paperwork and if I still have those invoices I'll send along scans and maybe I'll have to check the items as they may still be boxed.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 2, 2012 at 10:04pm

Any idea when the company officially folded?

I do remember some vague grumblings about how Score Board didn't always get their autographs in person. I have the haziest recollection of someone telling me that the company sent a bunch of cards to a certain player, whose girlfriend signed them all for him. Just rumors like this that I heard at card shows or from friends (i.e. pre-internet era).

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 3, 2012 at 4:20am

Went chapter 11 March 19, 1998. Never heard of the girlfriend thing. They usually had an employee there during the signing for the very reason you mention. Doesn't mean they didn't do it, just not their usual method. The easily duplicated certificate and the lack of a method to identify the piece was the major problem. Certainly UDA, PSA, Steiner and JSA among others recognized that problem.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 3, 2012 at 8:31am

Ah, thanks for clearing my hazy memory. It was Rhett, but I guess I'd errantly remembered it as a Scoreboard incident.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on March 4, 2012 at 2:40pm

Real Scoreboard material was all good to the best of my knowledge. The problem is the fake Scoreboard Certs tarnished the real ones. The real certs have a light watermark on the back... I suspect the fakes do not.

I have Scoreboard Mantle, Aaron and Mays and they are all good. Here is the Mantle by the way...

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 4, 2012 at 5:32pm

Here is one of the last items I bought from Scoreboard, a Joe DiMaggio photo mounted with a swatch of pinstripe #5. I've enclosed the invoice/packing slip, the Scoreboard Certificate and a scan of the autograph. What is the concensus on the autograph. The scan accentuates the heavy and light marker ink. If you note on the invoice it states it is coming from WH 70 whatever that means.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on March 4, 2012 at 7:12pm

do you have a better quality photo of the signature? I can't really see the letter formation.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 4, 2012 at 7:30pm

I'll take a photo tomorrow and I'll try to recan it. Thanks for looking, Doug

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Permalink Reply by Doug Canfield on March 5, 2012 at 9:57am

Let the illiterate computer guy see if he can upload these pics. The first is a scan and the second is a photo without flash. Again, what do you think everyone?