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MICKEY MANTLE AUTHENTIC EXEMPLARS... READ ALL ABOUT IT!

I just wanted to post these here to see what Fudd the Lowly Mantle Collector can do to help stop the flood of forgeries into the market place. The goal is that we can all start educating ourselves before we buy. To see what a beautiful signature the Mick had, and to learn to distinguish it from the obvious forgeries at first glance. Something TTA, STAT, DREW MAX, GAI GLOBAL (Baker certs) My Favorite Players Reborn (Tony Podsada) & Christopher Morales can't seem to do....at all? You will almost never see a signature in this photo album collection that would match or come close to anything that has been certed by any of those guys. Maybe you'll find 1 in a 1000 if you're lucky. To tell the difference between what an original hand signed Photo by the Mick looks like vs. an obvious Fake at first glance is easy. Give it a try. It's Fun!

As has been told many times, The Mick made more in one signing than his dad did in 1 year. He felt obligated to his fans to give them a "work of art". He did this by signing on just the right spot for the particular photograph he was presented. The size of his signature was determined by how big the sweet spot was. He knew EXACTLY how to fit his signature in so it looked perfect. A thing of beauty really. Please note that these are not all the same signature over and over, but merely a sample from my collection. What I do know is that these are consistent with the WAY Mantle signed and structured his Autograph as we know it. Good luck! FUDD

AUTHENTIC EXEMPLARS-PHOTOS

http://s1342.beta.photobucket.com/user/fuddjcal/library/Mickey%20Ma...

AUTHENTIC EXEMPLARS-BALLS

http://s1342.beta.photobucket.com/user/fuddjcal/library/Mickey%20Ma...

Tags: forgeries, genuine, mickey mantle

10 members like this

Comment by terrier8HOF on May 27, 2014 at 3:58pm: Jeff, if you would like an opinion on your Mantle ball, post a photo. there are some members here (myself not included) that are Mantle experts. I certainly have gotten better identifying Mantle forgeries thanks to the education I have received here from Christopher Williams, Mr. Zipper, Fudd, and Ryan. But those guys really have a good eye for Mantle forgeries.

Comment by terrier8HOF on May 27, 2014 at 4:00pm: To answer your question, probably 95% of the ones that we deem are forgeries are either so bad that even a novice would notice it, or are known forgeries (with consistent letter formation errors) that once you are aware of them, they are easy to spot. There is a small percentage that we discuss from time to time, that I feel are really close, so they could go either way.

Comment by Jeff Foglietta on May 27, 2014 at 4:06pm: I will do that Terrier, Thanks. Right now I'm in the process of moving so all my stuff is packed up. as soon as I get settled I will post a photo. I appreciate all that you and the rest of the crew do for our hobby. Thanks again!!!!

Comment by Null on May 27, 2014 at 5:52pm: Welcome to AML Jeff. Terrier has done a good job explaining the process. Basically a forgery is meant to fool novices which is why you have a hard time "seeing" it. You really just have to study authentic exemplars and you'll start catching on. There's tons of info on Mantle on this site, it's quite fascinating if you have time to dig through the posts.

It's hard to just pinpoint one thing to look for, you have to look at the whole sig. Yes people sign differently but there are certain characteristics that stay the same almost always. Especially with Mantle who took great pride signing items for fans. Feel free to post your ball for opinions.

Comment by Jeff Foglietta on May 28, 2014 at 7:27am: Guys and gals... Take a look at this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=191186732970...

I say that is a forgery. How's my aim?

Comment by Null on May 28, 2014 at 7:28am: Correct. Horrible forgery.

Comment by Jeff Foglietta on May 28, 2014 at 7:32am: I almost bought this one before I started reading here. This looks like one of those banana forgeries. what do you guys think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MICKEY-MANTLE-SIGNED-BASEBALL-FROM-THE-YANK...

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 28, 2014 at 7:51am: Jeff,

Glad you passed on that Mantle. It's an Operation Bullpen forgery, complete with COAs from Forensic Document Services/James Bellino and Howard Sports. It sold to some poor collector for $459.

Comment by terrier8HOF on May 28, 2014 at 7:53am: good job Jeff. the first one is slowly drawn, and the second is the typical banana M forgery that is well documented.

Comment by Jeff Foglietta on May 28, 2014 at 7:57am: I'm learning thanks to you guys. Your help is much appreciated. The information you all provide is invaluable.

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