NEED HELP, may be making an investment
 

Could pull the trigger on some of these, wanting to see what you guys think.

Thanks

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And this sig...

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Also could a moderator move this to the correct subforum. Did it on my phone. Apologies!

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all sorts of problems, from blurry scans to screwdown holders

Oh come one we all love screw downs!!

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I hesitate on the ruth because of the rounded corners per some chatting with Leon, the hank ehhhh not sure, don't really like the spot on his forhead. Wondering about the mantle though...

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The Ruth is likely fake--corners generally don't round like that naturally. Anything in a screw down holder is likely fake because it's in a screw down. And the rest, if there is anything, is likely fake because the guy is selling a fake Ruth and a bunch of cards in screw down holders.

As an aside, even if those were really, which my incredibly uninformed opinion says they are not, I wouldn't buy raw cards in that condition in this day and age, unless it was from Leon or Al or someone well regarded in the hobby.

Craiglist?

it's always a bad idea to invest in something you know nothing about.

I would guess they are fake, so if you move forward tread lightly. Honestly, for me, I wouldn't tread at all. I've seen fakes on the Aaron, Ruth, and the Ruth auto, so there's too many question marks. Also, and this is pretty obvious, if the deal is too good to be true then you're getting fooled.

Yeah check out the thread where the guy bought an Aaron reprint for 1300 or whatever he paid.

Buyers or sellers
 

I sometimes can't tell which is which :)

That's what this forum/the post is for no? To learn about something I know very little. Not to get snarky comments for asking a question.


Peter: no its not CL, but a similar buy/sell app called Mercari.

Yeah I saw the Aaron reprint guy. Trying to build knowledge to avoid the very same thing.





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c'mon will you learn anything if i tell you the 3 most expensive cards aaron ruth mantle look like reprints? you're not gonna learn anything getting yes/no answers...and next week you'll be back with another "investment" batch asking for more opinions.

and you're right, that's what this forum is about nowaday. people wanting quick answers and not willing to learn.

I'm sure this back and forth could go on for days. Instead...why is the mantle a fake? What gives it away.

The ruth, ok that one is a little easier. The aaron too.

Class is in session

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You can't always tell from a crummy pic, but the giveaways are where the items are being sold and the fact that at least one is fake. If one is fake, you can almost rest assured all are fake, no need to take them one by one really. Put another way, there is no reason to expect someone is selling a fake Ruth but a real Mantle.

I see, thanks Peter

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The odds of running into a collection of only high end raw cards on craigslist, mercari, or even ebay are very rare. If you do, the cards are most likely fake. I would think if you were lucky enough to find a real collection someone just found in the attic, it would be much more likely to find a few high end cards mixed in with plenty of commons. I don't believe many have taken the time to reprint commons. Best of luck.

The odds of finding a real Ruth card with a real Ruth cut auto would have to be up there with the odds of hitting the powerball.

There is someone on Mercari who sold a 33 goudey ruth and gherig as well as a t206 piedmont bat off a sholder cobb for 125

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Look very worn on all three but it was an attic find for her, so I know it's possible but as you said not the norm

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instead of asking for peoples input, do some searching on the subject yourself then get a loop and see for yourself in hand before you buy. The amount of info on this subject is everywhere. Google search!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

heres a place to start, or use the Net54 archives:

Sports Card Counterfeit Detection 101: Direct Comparison by David Cycleback

The contrast/ shadowy look on image of face of Aaron is dead giveaway of fake, look at real Aaron's andd u can't tell it looks like a whole diff card!!!!

And there is someone who threw away 125. :)

Well, besides the fact that it's raw, it's on Mercari, and it's likely being offered for a low price, the first thing that sticks out to me is the reddish hue on the card, making it almost look like Mantle has a sunburn. If you look at enough legit '56 Topps Mantles you will get a sense of the proper color. That red tint on the card is a big clue to it being fake.

Thanks CW

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we all did love screwdown holders. key word "did".

dial-up internet and free aol discs in the mail was the cat's meow as well.

assuming they are real, they could have been screwed down too tightly which could result in a N5 altered stock grading assessment. this means you would be charged for the grading, yet they wouldn't even get holdered and you'd be "screwed", again if real. and way too premature to even talk about the resub game.

but I think you have plenty of problems prior to even getting the N5. probably sounds like mandarin chinese to you, but the advice of not investing in something you don't know is pretty solid advice.

don't get discouraged. the truth is a bit harsh, but I think you'd rather have that then forking out some serious cash for cat crap. keep asking questions....

The Ruth card and sig is a billion percent fake and I judge guilt by association.

Peter's right, in my mind one fake means all fake.

If you are a true rookie, don't look for the big score. That's how you get played by scammers. Buy from reputable sources and even though many on here would grumble about this advice...buy graded. It certainly is not foolproof, but a cave with a half-ass flashlight is better than one without.

It takes years to get knowledge and when you think you know everything, it should be the moment you realize you know nothing. I am 30+ years of this mostly more on than off, and I trust things only that I can hold in my hand from a blind source. I make mistakes still and learn from them all.

If you want to learn; read, research, and first collect commons that no one would logically fake or alter to get an idea of what you need to know to tell a real card. Then use that knowledge as power when going for the worrisome cards.

Thanks Justin, this is the type of conversation I was hoping this post would generate.

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Ruth is fake, Aaron and Mantle look fake to me also. The '59s look better but I'd be skeptical if they're all coming from the same seller.

Mays and Gibson are from a diff seller

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Who was it on here that talks about the glass on water? If you talk a glass of pure drinking water and add one drop of pee you get a glass of pee. One bad or questionable item equals turn and run.
My opinion on learning about this stuff is start small, handle lots of cards talk with lots of collectors and don't look at cards as investments until you are comfortable with the nuances of cards.
I don't mean this in anyway harsh but if someone jumps in head first to find the "deal of the century" to make a quick flip or investment will almost always end up holding the small end of the stick.

Good luck with your quest.
Drew

Thanks Drew

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I am learning as well, and like you, I might have thought about purchasing those cards too.

I have learned a lot since joining this site, (which I didn't even know these sites existed until shortly before I joined) so take your time, read/learn/research etc.

I was lucky I was given a bunch of 52 Topps to begin with. I have shown them, posted my cubes of Mantle and Mays, which some likely think are fake as well, but I have also posted pics of the many others I have, so that likely negates that notion? (Still looking for the proper holders, but having a hard time!)

Learned some info the other day about purchasing off of E-Bay about the shipping, fees etc.

Like what has been mentioned, take your time!!

Good Luck :)

Irv, your cards are real from what I've seen. I recommend that you seriously consider getting the Mantle in a PSA holder. It's the best way to protect it and will add some piece of mind.

Those are awesome Irv!

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I hear you, Best. Just reluctant/nervous and maybe even cheap about sending it through the mail to PSA. I believe, if I am hearing/reading correctly, getting my Mantle graded will be a $700 touch? I'd like to get my Mays and Robinson done as well so I may as well send them all in at the same time too, no?

Thanks, jkray25. Pretty proud, and lucky, to be the owner of them for sure! :)

Hi Irv, it would actually only cost $85.00 plus shipping both ways to get it graded given the value.

Well, that's a lot better!

Going to have to re-read PSA's pricing. I thought, according to it's perceived/guessed value, it would be a lot more than that?

Still nervous about sending it through the mail though! :confused:

When
 

When it is an attic find and all they have are high dollar star cards and no commons turn and run fast and far away. I would honestly advise buying a couple commons from the various vintage issues in holders or from a trusted dealer like 707 you may have to pay a little more but you now have exemplars. study the cards so you have a good card to compare your possible purchases. loupe the cards under 10x or more magnification and study how they are printed. all cards from issues should be printed in the same manner.

Exactly what I am trying to do, but mostly for me to give me a general idea on how mine would grade up.

Purchasing from E-Bay is crazy pricey for the shipping etc, so I think in the future, purchasing from reputable folks here, depending on their prices, is the only way to go for me.

That being said, I am interested in some PSA/SGC graded 52 Topps. I have looked at some already but I believe it's time I had a look again.

I don't think it was a snarky comment at all. It was good advice. You'd be well served not to throw thousands of dollars at something you know next to nothing about. The smart thing to do is to begin by figuring out what you are interested in, and then start slow. You need to put in the time learning the ins and outs of the hobby, including how to spot fakes, and altered cards. Do that, and you'll develop instincts that will serve you well as long as you are collecting.

If a potential investor came to me and said, "I'd like to put $25,000 into the options market", the first thing I'd do would be determine what their goals were, and what their risk tolerance was. I'd also gauge their investment experience. If they've never traded options, they're not getting naked approval.

Far too often, people are lured by the promise of big gains. But in any area where money is being risked, one needs to learn to how to walk before they can run. And before learning how to walk, they need to learn how to crawl.

+1

JK, this is a thread and it's difficult to know the spirit in which things are posted or commented on. I tend to believe most posters here are sincere and, in time, you will see that there is an abundance of knowledge about the hobby here.

Take the comments for what they are, and try not to read things into it.

Understand that most, if not all of us, began collecting by not spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on cards. We began buying packs as kids, then attending shows, and then perhaps bidding through auctions. Most of us have purchased on ebay.

It has taken us lots of time and years to develop knowledge and insight about the hobby. So it " bothers " us when you tell us what you are doing in terms of purchases, and then ask our opinion. Most of us try to error on the side of caution with our purchases, and we are trying to help you avoid the mistakes we have made.

The advice given in previous posts, imo, has been reasonable and practical.