Ruth Postcard pick-up

[JoeyF1981]

http://www.playle.com/realphoto/

this is one of the websites I came across to date it.

[Jaybird]

It's not about the back stamp. You're right on that. The problem is that someone is making stamps for these postcard backs and stamping them on repro pictures. If you look at the way the stamp on the back looks, there is pooling on certain letters and the Cyko itself isn't fully stamped. I just don't think it looks right. I've looked at 1000s of PCs and that's my opinion.

The fact that it has a stampback that is correct for the era is moot. The question is the authenticity.

And as for the price, many collectors saw it. I heard from two at least who would have bid this up into the 1000s. It didn't happen and that speaks to what postcard collectors felt about it.

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

It's not about the back stamp. You're right on that. The problem is that someone is making stamps for these postcard backs and stamping them on repro pictures. If you look at the way the stamp on the back looks, there is pooling on certain letters and the Cyko itself isn't fully stamped. I just don't think it looks right. I've looked at 1000s of PCs and that's my opinion.

The fact that it has a stampback that is correct for the era is moot. The question is the authenticity.

And as for the price, many collectors saw it. I heard from two at least who would have bid this up into the 1000s. It didn't happen and that speaks to what postcard collectors felt about it.

youre right and I was very skeptical too that it didnt go for higher, but I figured with the research I did that it was legit. I wish I wouldve posted this before the auction ended to get everyones opinion.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

youre right and I was very skeptical too that it didnt go for higher, but I figured with the research I did that it was legit. I wish I wouldve posted this before the auction ended to get everyones opinion.

Generally speaking you don't want to post live auctions you are interested in unless you want more competition PM or email one of our members, or me, to get some more ideas. If I don't know then I can usually direct you to someone that does.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I saw it as soon as it was listed and placed a minimum .99 bid and watched it. I am also under the assumption that it is fake.

[JoeyF1981]

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

Is it Barry Halper?

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

Is it Barry Halper?

lol...probably

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

The good news is that Probstein is will stand behind it if it's determined not to be authentic. However, I would send it in for grading as soon as you get so as not to delay the refund period.

[Greenmonster]

I email Seller the day it was posted, questioning the authenticity, and never heard back.

[JoeyF1981]

I did a search and i cant find that exact image of ruth

[Runscott]

I have owned two Ruth RPPC's (not the same image as yours) with period-legit backs, that were both fakes. Both were good enough to fool another knowledgeable collector and to almost fool me, but I sent them to an auctioneer who handles such things regularly, and he said "they do not look right" and sent them back to me. Now I own enough examples of each back that I could spot these fakes quickly by comparing to real ones, but if all you have is the fake, it can be tough.

Hope yours is real.

[smtjoy]

Well Probstein offers a 14 day return, if it was me I would return it asap.

Humm suspicious looking early Ruth PC that does not look right and having a consignment house sell it .........run

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by smtjoy

Well Probstein offers a 14 day return, if it was me I would return it asap.

Humm suspicious looking early Ruth PC that does not look right and having a consignment house sell it .........run

I actually just got off the phone with him. He stated the seller was reputable but he understands my concerns. He was actually looking at it when I was on the phone with him and he said he wasnt sure. I asked him for a refund and he had no problem with it. Im definitely bummed out. I was really looking forward to adding it to my collection but like you all of you said theres too many red flags

[bcbgcbrcb]

An authentic mid-1910's Ruth postcard like that would bring $15K - $25K these days so one that sells on e-bay for a few hundred dollars, almost guaranteed to be bad..........

[Jaybird]

Sorry Joey, but I think you did the right thing. The fact that Probstein or anyone else says that it came from a reputable source means nothing. As Scott said, he's got some fakes in his collection. If he were to pass his collection on and the person selling his collection didn't know, those could come into the market as the real deal. The collection isn't the issue, the auction house should do it's own diligence to figure out what they are selling. I understand that they can't know everything which is why they have a refund policy.

I think you need to look at the totality of the story here as well. When i'm looking at postcards, if I see a Ruth or a Negro League subject, I look even closer than I would if it was just a random town team. Think about whether there is incentive to deceive. In the case of Ruth, he has to be the subject of the most fake items in our hobby. So, when I see a Ruth item, I treat it with suspicion and until I can quiet my own mind about those suspicions, I do not pursue.

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

An authentic mid-1910's Ruth postcard like that would bring $15K - $25K these days so one that sells on e-bay for a few hundred dollars, almost guaranteed to be bad..........

Phil, you mentioned the high price on mid 1910's Ruth RPPC's.

What are Ruth RPPC's going for from the 1920-1929 years?