Questionable Ruth postcard

[Leon]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Could somebody please explain what is meant by a fantasy piece? I am not familiar with this terminology as it applies to baseball memorabilia. Thanks, guys!

A fantasy piece is also one that generally never existed before. It's different than a fake or reprint in that those generally exist as real cards but the one(s) in question are not real.

[Cardboard Junkie]

I guess those "Helmar" cards are fantasy pieces too?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I guess those "Helmar" cards are fantasy pieces too?

Yes.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by glchen

A fantasy piece means that basically anyone with Photoshop (or similar tool) and a decent printer can create a postcard if they have the appropriate paper stock and cut it down to the right size.

Originally Posted by Bocabirdman

Here is an example of a fantasy piece that has found its way into my collection.

Attachment 106832

Originally Posted by Leon

A fantasy piece is also one that generally never existed before. It's different than a fake or reprint in that those generally exist as real cards but the one(s) in question are not real.

Thanks guys, I understand now.

[drcy]

It means the item is made up, never existed. Like a 1950 Bowman Mickey Mantle.

Sometimes a fantasy piece is for innocent fun. Sometimes it's a fraud.

[VintageBall]

In this case, several of these Ruth postcards surfaced a few years ago and they even were artificially aged (baked?).

This card even was the subject of an article in a postcard magazine warning collectors about it.

The manufacturer/publisher listed on the back did make postcards, but they were linen cards made later than the 1930s.

Robert S

[Greenmonster]

This Yankee Stadium with Ruth card showed up 10-15 years ago. I first noticed it about 10 years ago and mentioned it in the newsletter I was publishing at the time. I've tried to attached a PDF of that issue to this post but couldn't (to large) it includes images of several other fake baseball theme postcards and how they were spotted. If anyone would like me to email them a copy just drop me an email request. jsrna@aol.com

I've also noticed "fake" real photo postcards over the past couple of years, the backs are rubber stamped. Jim