eBay T206 Cobb - real or fake
 

I didn't want to tie up the main forum board with this, since it deals with a purchase, but given that it's a pricey card, and the eBay lister offers little insight, was wondering what people thought of this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-t206-Ty-Cob...item33639a0d6c

Aside from the grainy photos, it passes my first look in terms of border, font, and overall appearance. And yes, I'd assume it was trimmed. But even then again, "too good to be true" is ringing in the back of my ear. Can a Cobb even exist with a Fact 42 back? Do you think it's authentic?

Thanks,
--S

Fake

it does exist with piedmont 42 but this is a bad fake

I've only been doing this for a year and a half, but some things that would keep me from bidding are: the same bidder with low feedback has bid on this a dozen times in $5 or so increments. Smells like a possible shill.

Also, there is no way that an authentic Red Cobb listed properly would slip through the cracks on ebay. Keep an eye on it, but if that card doesn't approach $700 to $900 in the next 20 hours, then I personally would stay away. (Unless maybe the fact that it is trimmed would keep the winning bid low, but I still think that card would be no less than $400 to $500 even if trimmed). The vintage card community will let very very few bargains slip by.

Also, he has a 51 Bowman Williams at $10 from the same box that no one has bid on. It is probably a reprint as well and all the 51 bowman collectors would have bid on this card too.

scans
 

Isn't it funny that his cheap cards have a nice crisp scan but his hi dollar cards have fuzzy scans? Gosh, I wonder what happened?

Do you want another red flag? The seller has a 1973 Nolan Ryan listed that has been graded a 7 by PSA. This shows something and begs a question.

It shows the seller is aware of card grading companies, even if THEY didn't get the Ryan graded and it makes you wonder WHY they would get a 1973 Nolan Ryan graded and NOT a T206 Cobb or 1951 Bowman Ted Williams?

David

.
 

A lot of reasons to question the seller, but I don't see anything specific about the appearance of the card that makes me think it's fake.

Stay clear......

How to determine fake 206's?
 

I agree with all the circumstancial evidence that members have pointed out, and I believe it's a fake. But I'd like to know how one can tell by an online photo that a card is not authentic.
Perhaps this is not a good example as the photo is not clearly focused [which as was pointed out is evidence in itself]. But given a good scan, how can one tell? As Shaun and Robert say, this one passes the border and font tests I look for. Is there anything more, examining a scan, one can look for?
I'd appreciate the clinic.

Thanks.

Doug

Circumstantial evidence has to be enough at some point. You really don't even need to see the scan with all the red flags. If someone has a really nice printer at home, they could just keep taking grainy pictures until one looks good. If the seller states "may be a reprint" it 100% is a reprint and he knows it.

this is a buy sell trade area
 

no offense, are you selling the fake ?

Great observation. Sometimes, I guess you just got to do a little detective work.

!
 

To answer your question, 823dek: No, of course not.

It is pretty offensive, though, to be suspected of/have my name associated with fraud for simply asking a question. Why else do I feel like I have to defend myself, now?

For your information, I asked those questions simply because I'd like to learn as much as I can about detecting fraudulent T206's. I'd been happy to see this thread on Net54 because I hadn't been able to tell whether that card was a phoney when I'd seen it on ebay. I suspect that some people can tell the difference, and I'd like to know how.

Was I going beyond the bounds of this forum when I generalized? I never gave it a thought at the time; perhaps I was, but it seemed the natural place to ask my question. My apologies.

By the way, what was the intention of your message if not to be offensive? To teach me a lesson in propriety?

Thanks.

Doug Doremus

$229.50
Easy money

That question might have been directed at me, as the original poster. I'm not the seller, but was a prospective buyer. There's a "B" in the BST section. You might have stated "no offense" on your post, but there's an unsubtle implication of your question that I found offensive as well.
--Shaun

you are funny Doug
 

it was more humor then anything else ,but I take it as you find the dark side in people and are offended easily. The point: BUY SELL TRADE...which are you doing......so..........?

I figured you were selling , right? Fraud ? you are funnier then me !

You could had stated it was a fake and THEN sold it !

Cobbs dont usually come with reddened faces either.

Happy New Year Doug and may you find a really nice CObb for your collection.:)

If it's a fake, it's a damn good one. The card also appears like it's altered.

thanks Shaun
 

I love unsubtle implications:D