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. . . I think your $3000 ceiling is workable for a decent flat. It may be a cut, or perhaps signed in pencil, or not the boldest shade of ink. But if you are both patient, and capable of acting quickly when the opportunity presents itself, yes, I think $3000 is plenty. Just remember that a seller's reputation, knowledge, and experience are VERY important considerations when buying one of the most forged autographs in the marketplace. If the price is too good to be true, likely so is the autograph. My suggestion would be to personally contact each one of the top-notch autograph dealers with Old Cardboard, introduce yourself, explain specifically what you are looking for and/or willing to accept, your ceiling price, and ask for them to contact you first, when they obtain a suitable item(s). I personally have dealt with many of these gentlemen over the years and would not hesitate to do as I have suggested if I was in the market for a decent Ruth (or other superstar) autograph.
It was only a couple of months ago when this gem (IMO) was offered by one of the top-notch gentlemen I referred to above (I was really, really tempted, but I foolishly used some emotional constraint - stupid, stupid me - what was I trying to prove to myself):
item 102
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=178813