Opinions needed on this 1911 Helmar Stamps Max Carey

[shagrotn77]

I recently bought this 1911 Helmar Stamps Max Carey on eBay. It was part of a near set that the seller was unloading. I found out today that it did not get authenticated, so I'm not sure what I should do now. I'm not super familiar with this issue as far as reprints go, so I wanted to elicit the board's feedback so I know whether to keep the stamp or return it. Thanks!

[John1941]

I know almost nothing about this set, but I doubt anyone would take the time to counterfeit a Helmar Stamp Max Carey, and as best as I can see the set has never been reprinted. Rough top corners, diamond cut, realistic back issues, and bad centering are not marks of a typical counterfeit.

[sb1]

Looks 100% authentic...

[bigfanNY]

I agree with looks 100%. Do you own any other Helmar Stamps? I ask because the paper has a distinct feel. Was it PSA or SGC that turned it down? If it was PSA I think I would try SGC. A less knowledgeable TPG employee might see all the Helmar Brewing stamps and lump this one in.
All in all as a Hof rookie it is pretty scarce. I think I would get 2nd opinion before I let it go.

[G1911]

I'm betting the silly eBay program wouldn't authenticate it because it is a stamp, not because it is a fake.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Agree with all, looks good to me.

[scotgreb]

Originally Posted by G1911

I'm betting the silly eBay program wouldn't authenticate it because it is a stamp, not because it is a fake.

Agreed

[h2oya311]

100% legit. I own a complete set of Helmar Stamps. There are a few reprints out there, but they are pretty easily detectable. This one is not one of them. I think the eBay authentication program is flawed, nothing wrong with the stamp itself. You got a nice HOF rookie “card” too, which is why I presume you picked it up.

Nice snag!!

[FrankWakefield]

It looks real to me...

I suggest you illuminate it with a black light for self-satisfaction. Really easy to do, real ones won't fluoresce.

[steve B]

Fun thing, one way of determining the paper of some stamps from the 1870s is that they react to UV.
Same with the inks. On a few it can be the difference between $100 and $4000

[pbspelly]

Originally Posted by John1941

I know almost nothing about this set, but I doubt anyone would take the time to counterfeit a Helmar Stamp Max Carey, and as best as I can see the set has never been reprinted. Rough top corners, diamond cut, realistic back issues, and bad centering are not marks of a typical counterfeit.

Someone taking the time to counterfeit Helmar Stamps would be another sign of the apocalypse. They are just so obscure. No offense intended (I have a couple, because my great grandfather Billy Sullivan is part of the set), but my understanding is that apart from Ty Cobb, most of these are worth less than $50.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Someone taking the time to counterfeit Helmar Stamps would be another sign of the apocalypse. They are just so obscure. No offense intended (I have a couple, because my great grandfather Billy Sullivan is part of the set), but my understanding is that apart from Ty Cobb, most of these are worth less than $50.

Most are fairly inexpensive but the bigger hof'ers will be a few times more, or more.

a few...(obviously not "to size")

[shagrotn77]

All's well that ends well. This was the first of 3 completely legitimate items that the so-called "experts" who handle the eBay Authentication failed to authenticate - all for supposedly being mis-categorized. What an absolute joke of a service. All it does is cause a delay in me getting my items. It should either be optional or done away with. I can't remember one change that eBay's made over the years that made that was for the better. Ok, rant over. Happy holidays, fellas.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Someone taking the time to counterfeit Helmar Stamps would be another sign of the apocalypse. They are just so obscure. No offense intended (I have a couple, because my great grandfather Billy Sullivan is part of the set), but my understanding is that apart from Ty Cobb, most of these are worth less than $50.

The ebay authentication program starts at $250, so our OP paid at least that.

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[shagrotn77]

Originally Posted by pbspelly

Someone taking the time to counterfeit Helmar Stamps would be another sign of the apocalypse. They are just so obscure. No offense intended (I have a couple, because my great grandfather Billy Sullivan is part of the set), but my understanding is that apart from Ty Cobb, most of these are worth less than $50.

The Carey is a HOF rookie issue. Not super popular because it is, after all, a stamp. But it is on the radar for a lot of HOF RC collectors.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by shagrotn77

The Carey is a HOF rookie issue. Not super popular because it is, after all, a stamp. But it is on the radar for a lot of HOF RC collectors.

100%. And Brooklyn commons routinely sell for $100+. And if you find a Cy Young, jump on it! That one never comes up for sale! I think I paid $600+ pre 2020 run-up in all prices. It was the last one I needed to complete the Helmar Stamps set.

You got a really nice example there! Congrats on the “2”. Anything over a “1” is a win for this set.