Opinions on my brother's 1980s era TTM autograph collection (DiMaggio, Mays, Koufax)
 

My brother asked me to post these photos to get opinions on the autographs he collected through the mail in 1985-1986. Any opinions are welcome. Sorry for the shadows on some of the photos.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_5006.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_0555.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_6528.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_8077.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_1460.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_2917.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_4571.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_0790.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/IMG_1488.jpg

Koufax - :)
Aaron - :(
DiMaggio - :confused: Not sure
Snider - :)
Mays - :(
Brooksie - :)
Roberts - :)
Palmer - :)
Stargell - :)

The Mays and Aaron look like ghost signers. Just not sure on Joe D - there are folks here with much more knowledge that I have on him.

Thanks, Tom!

I think Dimaggio and Mays are bad. I have no opinion on the Koufax or Aaron as I can't see the full sigs due to the shadows. The rest look fine.

Thanks, Mark!

Aaron employed a ghost signer for many, many years TTM. The straight-legged "H" (lacking the typical loop leading into the crossbar) is a telltale sign.

I know DiMaggio's sister signed a ton of his mail at one point. Supposedly the story was Joe didn't understand the difference, and when he realized how it impacted collectors he started signing himself. At least I remember reading that somewhere many years ago. I believe that happened well before 1985 though. I think by the 80s Joe D. was commanding pretty high card show prices ($40 was a ton for a signature in the mid-80s :eek:) so I'd doubt anything obtained TTM for free would be legit. That said, if this one isn't real, it's close, but I don't love the "J" or the "M."

Aaron, Willie and Joe D. appear to not be genuine.
Koufax and all others look fine IMHO.

Agree 100%

If offered to me, I would decline purchase of the Joe D, The Aaron and Mays

I like the rest of them.

I believe the DiMaggio is good, although a little different. The Aaron and Mays are no good. The rest are fine.

I agree with this 100%. That was my same opinion. Dimaggio is the sister's sig, Mays looks like his wife's and Aaron the ghost signer. Everything else is good.

I agree with everyone else. Mays appears to be signed by his wife, Aaron looks way off, and I don't like the Dimaggio either. On the upside, all the rest appear to look authentic including the Koufax. Koufax very rarely signs his mail anymore as he mainly RTS any requests that come to him. However, a few people have still gotten lucky on occasion and received an autograph.

Mike, just curious, what set are those "1969 Topps-style" cards from?

Also, I like all of them except the Dimaggio (maybe), Aaron (bad), and Mays (maybe).

D:mad::mad::mad:
M:mad::mad::mad:
A:mad::mad::mad:

I think the Mays was done by his wifey

Not sure. He thinks they were inserts in a magazine.

Thanks for all of the replies!

Mike