PM1 pin or something else?

[Rob D.]

Below are some photos of a Lajoie pin I bought on eBay recently. It arrived today and looks even nicer than the scans suggest. The photos are taken from the eBay listing.

Something that has me puzzled is the size. All of the PM1 ornate pins I've seen, which isn't that many because I don't collect them, are roughly 1 inch x 1 inch. This one measures closer to a half-inch by 3/4 of an inch. Granted this isn't an "ornate" frame, but I assumed (as did the seller) that even with the plain frame it is from the same series. Now I'm not so sure. Also, the fact that this one has a stick pin made me pause.

The small size actually might be a blessing because the imperfections that seem to stand out in the scans aren't as noticeable when you're holding the pin.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[slidekellyslide]

Rob, how certain are you that the item is legit? It wouldn't be too hard to use an old stick pin (a couple of dollars) and put in a recently made photocopy.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Rob, how certain are you that the item is legit? It wouldn't be too hard to use an old stick pin (a couple of dollars) and put in a recently made photocopy.

That's a valid question, Dan. The paper passes the black-light test. I gave the edges (what I could see) of the paper a close look under magnification, and they appear to be machine-cut (not hand-cut). I would think because of the oval shape -- as opposed to straight edges of a card -- a hand-cut would be more noticeable. There is no dot matrix pattern on the image, which I take as a good sign.

I know that wear is among the most common things to fake, but the fact that there seems to be different kind of wear (a small dent/abrasion in one area, a faint stain in another, one or two dark spots in another) make me think it's legit. Still, yours is a valid point.

Edited to add: The paper that the image has a glossy look to it. Judging the best I can and going by the abrasion, the paper appears to be of somewhat heavy stock -- at least heavier than a card.

[slidekellyslide]

No dots and passing a black light test are all good signs as you said. I recognize the seller ID and I'm pretty sure it is someone I've dealt with before with no problems.

[Leon]

Great pin. I don't think it's a PM1 but just another cool pin. I was the underbidder.....

[FourStrikes]

that is a great pin, and this post prompted me to dig the one shown below out of a display case.....it was purchased in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

it's a 7 inch stick pin with a 1-inch gold ball with a paper ballplayer shellacked(?) to it.....the name "ONeil" or "O'Neill" is below the player.....
whether it's legit or a bogus / fantasy piece, I have no clue.

below are two angles - I am aware that the scans are crappy, but a flatbed scanner and a non-flat item are not exactly a winning combo.



DS

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