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

Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball Signed Christmas Card COA Drew Max AAU Pawn Stars "You Gotta Be Kidding Me, Drew!!!"

Below are two Babe Ruth items authenticated by Drew Max. Drew Max (AAU/Authentic Autographs Unlimited).

Mr. Max appears frequently on the Pawn Stars reality show. I have written a few blogs on some of the autographs that Mr. Max has stated are authentic.

Mr. Max gives himself the title of FDE (Forensic Document Examiner).

It is unbelievable that someone who calls himself a Forensic Document Examiner would authenticate the below Babe Ruth autographs.

Mr. Max, what forensic examinations did you perform to authenticate the below Babe Ruth signatures? Mr. Max, what Babe Ruth exemplars did you use to authenticate the below Babe Ruth autographs?

Here's the first Babe Ruth. It is listed by Ebay seller nick.ostgren. The aforementioned Ebay seller is asking $20,000 or Best Offer. Seriously? For this garbage?

If the Ebay seller were to submit this to PSA or JSA, it would be rejected in a heartbeat. This is the type of Babe Ruth forgery that we see on the Coach's Corner auction site in numbers every month.

Here are two Babe Ruth forgeries listed on the Coach's Corner auction site right now. Notice the similarities between these two and the one posted below.

Here are the Drew Max certed Babe Ruth forgeries. What is most ridiculously obvious is the lack of aging of the ink. Did you forensically examine the ink, Mr. Max?

Click on the photos to get a closer view.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Babe-Ruth-Autographed-Baseball-w-LOA-AAU-ce...

Immediately below is a forged Mickey Mantle photo with a worthless COA from A.A.U. and Drew Max.

Our next Babe Ruth item authenticated by Drew Max is a Babe Ruth signature on a Christmas card.

Unfortunately, this sold for $1500.00. This is one of the most horrific Babe Ruth forgeries you will ever see. This was sold by Ebay seller runninwolf24.

Whoever signed that Babe Ruth, must have taken about thirty-minutes to finish it. This is so slowly drawn, it is ridiculous.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-Vintage-Babe-Ruth-Signed-Christma...

You gotta be kidding me, Drew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 member likes this

Comment by Richard S. Simon on October 23, 2012 at 7:58am: DB- why have you been led to believe that the auction is from a cruise line?

Comment by Mike M. on October 23, 2012 at 8:02am: The autograph and some others that I have purchased are from an auction house in Illinois (so no overseas stuff here). Here is a copy of the auction house's terms (I took the auction house's name out because I am not ready to disclose that yet...not sure if that would come back to haunt me at some point legally).

-1.) "This auction House" has put forth every effort in preparing the catalog for this auction to provide accurate descriptions of all items. All property is sold "as-is" and it is the bidder's responsibility to determine the exact condition of each item. Printed statements or descriptions by staff are provided in good faith and are matters of opinion. Absolutely NO refunds.

-15.) Everything will be sold "as is, where is", with no guarantees of any kind, regardless of statement of condition made from the auction block. Buyers shall rely entirely on their own inspection and information. Statements on Certificate(s) Of Authenticity are the opinion of the company or entity which issued the Certificate, and not those of "this auction house". The information contained on the Certificate is added to the written descriptions of items merely as an attempt to fully disclose any information accompanying the item, and in no way constitutes a guarantee of the validity of the information on the Certificate. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to verify the claims made on said Certificate before placing any bids on that item. When placing bids on item(s) accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity the it is the sole responsibility of the bidder to research the company or entity which issued the Certificate and base bidding activity on the strength of the reputation of the company which issued the Certificate(s). No refunds will be given due to disputes over the validity of information contained on Certificate(s) of Authenticity.

Comment by Richard S. Simon on October 23, 2012 at 8:07am: Mike - I would immediately take this to the State Attorney's Office.

I don't really know the law well but I think if you signed an illegal agreement it cannot be enforced. I don't know if what they had you sign is illegal but it is certainly worth further inquiry.

You might be saving many people in the future who can face the same problem you are facing.

Comment by Peter leone on October 23, 2012 at 8:28am: @Mike m, How long ago did you buy this item and did you use a credit card? If it was'nt that long ago and you did in fact pay with a credit card you can just file a chargeback with your card company. If you do in fact do that then all you will have to show them is the PSA rejection letter which will have a photo of the item on it as well as this site and you should have no issues with getting your money back.

I have been in a simular situation before where I bought an item from a local auction house that came back as a autopen and I went directly to the auction house and demanded my money back, I was told that the seller was already paid (it was a consignment pcs) and I could'nt get my money back well once I told them I will see them in small claims court as wel as trash their company they all of a sudden came up with the money for me. You need to push your weight around a little and they will cave in or just sure them it's not that hard to do. You can't be affraid to go after your hard earned money it's the right thing to do.

You are correct about there being no experts on here and at the end of the day none of the 3rd party authentication companies are experts either. It is just all educated opinions, you can get them on here for free or a 3rd party company and pay but at the end of the day they will most likely all be the same opinion. Hopefully that makes sence.

I must say you did do the right thing by 1) coming on here and defending yourself and explaining the situation and 2) By contacting the buyer and trying to make things right. You seem like a solid guy willing to do the right thing. I posted last night about unsuspecting people buying an item and then after time reselling it without knowing that it is no good as with the case of the Mantle, DiMaggio and Williams items that were sold on QVC, Shop at home etc for years and people bought them thinking they were good because they came for those shows and are now trying to sell them.

I agree with Richard if you have the other items you bought you should post them so people can give you an opinion on them.

Hopefully you don't take any of that the wrong way, we are just trying to help..

Comment by DB on October 23, 2012 at 8:37am: The auction house T&Cs if they are noted and buyers "accept" the T&Cs it can be a difficult course legally as well as costly. @MikeM; naming the auction house has however helped, sometimes, in getting reimbursements. I once lost an argument on an item with Visa as Visa claimed since I had the opportunity to expect it... etcc... they would not reimburse (sound familiar to some of these terms).

It also appears that neither MikeM nor the buyer have "completely" accepted the assessment based on what's been posted so far until PSA/DNA weighs in which is an expensive propropistion as noted.

Good ? Rich; Opps, right sport wrong item.... was thinking the dimaggio/williams/mantle one from princess cruise lines... not xmas card. BTW, that D/W/M one was also removed by EBAY.

Comment by Mike M. on October 23, 2012 at 8:45am: I am not taking anything the wrong way...I appreciate all the support. I am just a little overwhelmed.

@Peter Leone - Since these autographs are so pricey to authenticate by PSA it really wouldn't be cost efficient for me to submit them all and then do a chargeback. Now I was thinking what if I posted the items on say craigslist ( I don't want to post on eBay in fear of them thinking I am trying to pull off some kind of fraudulent activity) for a really high amount (so no one would ever be interested in the item) and then contact PSA's quick opinion and get that as evidence (along with me posting the autographs on this website as eveidence)...would that be enough for my credit card company to issue a chargeback? What was the whole process like? I am afraid that things will backfire on me and i will be charged even more money...and I DO NOT want that since I have already dug myself a pretty deep hole.

@Richard - The whole file a case with the state's attorney's office kinda scares me. Do I just give them a call and state my situation and see what they recommend? Or do I go down there (I am located near Fort Worth, TX.) and talk to them about what has went on?

FYI. I believe the buyer is now sending me the Christmas Card back and I will issue a full refund.

Thanks guys for your help and answering my questions/concerns.

Comment by Mike M. on October 23, 2012 at 8:45am: Oh and i believe I bought them in August of this year (2012)

Comment by Mike M. on October 23, 2012 at 9:05am: Here are more terms that I "agreed to" when i placed a bid unofrtunately.

-6.) The purchaser agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred by the auction company in the collection of funds. The purchaser also agrees that a fee of 2% per month will be added to the balance due the auction company and any other costs or losses incurred by the purchasers failure to adhere to these terms. Any debt collection or dispute proceedings will be heard in Winnebago County, Illinois.

-9.) All sales are final.

-10.) By bidding on any item, the bidder shows acceptance of the terms of the auction.

All lots are sold as is, where is, with all faults, imperfections and errors of description. Due diligence is the responsibility of the bidder/buyer. All sales are final.

Not responsible for accidents, thefts, errors or omissions. Items may be added or deleted.

-I guess the moral of this story is live and learn? Not sure I have a leg to stand on.

Comment by DB on October 23, 2012 at 12:14pm: since you agreed to them, you are bound by them. Unless you could show false & deceptive business practics or knowingly selling fraud - one negotiates. Since we have dance around this - who was the auction house in Ill?

Judging by one of your blurbs; it aligns rather nicely with;

Kaptain Kirk's Auction has put forth every effort in preparing the catalog for this auction to provide accurate descriptions of all items. All property is sold "as-is" and it is the bidder's responsibility to determine the exact condition of each item. Printed statements or descriptions by staff are provided in good faith and are matters of opinion. Absolutely NO refunds.

if that is the case; then you will find this thread interesting;

http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/help?commentId=35243...

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 23, 2012 at 12:33pm: Mike,

If you can show fraud, you have a leg to stand on. If this is one of those regional auctions that has lots of forgeries similar to the ones we see in other regional auctions, I think you've got a shot. What we need are other victims and all get together and go to law enforcement. And if this was shipped over state lines you may have other avenues to pursue than those available through Illinois law.