My friend Steve and I have talked about this numerous times.
In one way I am fortunate that I do not collect anything contemporary (except Jeter and I don't need any new purchases).
But if you're a Trout, Judge, etc. collector of autographs, you're either going to pay TOP dollar, or (for the most part), purchase a forgery on Ebay.
The forgery business has never been more profitable than right now, especially on Ebay.
There are hundreds of kitchen-table forgers selling on Ebay and Ebay loves it!!!
There are also the dozens of "Florida" sellers with their "Forensic" COAs that Ebay welcomes with open arms every time a new "Florida" account is opened.
Then you have the so-called
Forensic authenticators like Stephen Rocchi (GFA), Chris "I Never Saw An Autograph I Didn't Like" Morales, etc. who have literally certed, in my opinion, probably tens upon tens of thousands of forgeries primarily of Mantle, DiMaggio, Mays, Williams, Koufax, etc.
By the way, the "Florida" sellers a few months ago are now certing Jeter forgeries accompanied with their Forensic COAs.
The majority of the below
Sold Auctions are the
Florida forgeries.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/Photos/2726...&LH_Complete=1