This Cum Posey appears to be a laser copy to me

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

I agree with Mark... Looks like someone took a super fine grit sandpaper to the area surrounding the signature...

I think that is a stretch.
The piece of paper with the alleged signature is old and toned.
Is it possible to erase printing like that on the document with fine grit sandpaper and not leave one shred of printing that was on the document?
I do not know the answer to that but my guess is no.
And considering what we know about the Ty Cobb slab I would think that laser print is more likely then an erasure that is so perfectly done.

[packs]

Never mind misunderstood.

[daves_resale_shop]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

I think that is a stretch.
The piece of paper with the alleged signature is old and toned.
Is it possible to erase printing like that on the document with fine grit sandpaper and not leave one shred of printing that was on the document?
I do not know the answer to that but my guess is no.
And considering what we know about the Ty Cobb slab I would think that laser print is more likely then an erasure that is so perfectly done.

You may be right... It does look to me that the area outside if the signature portion is definitely a lighter shade of cream... I guess it's tough to say either way without examining the piece in hand...

[mighty bombjack]

I hadn't thought of erasure, but it sure seems unlikely that one could leave the paper in that quality. I do see see the odd coloration.

I have looked at all 12 diplomas that sold in Hunt's auction of these things, and none of the signatures match this one. Perhaps this is cut from some other type of document from Homestead High? All I can say it that it looks extremely odd to me.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by mighty bombjack

I hadn't thought of erasure, but it sure seems unlikely that one could leave the paper in that quality. I do see see the odd coloration.

I have looked at all 12 diplomas that sold in Hunt's auction of these things, and none of the signatures match this one. Perhaps this is cut from some other type of document from Homestead High? All I can say it that it looks extremely odd to me.

Not matching the ones that you have seen is not that important. The fact that these documents are as common as you say is the important thing. It makes it easy for the scammer to do what has apparently been done and it just happened to be one that you have not seen yet.

[prewarsports]

If you look closely you can see where the other ink was sanded away. And yes this can be done. I was just serving as a court appointed expert (fraudulent photographs) a few months ago where a guy was sanding off ALL the ink on the backs of vintage press photos and then adding Conlon, Paul Thompson and Van Oeyen stamps over the blank backs in an attempt top turn Acme and United Press photos into the work of famous photographers. Without holding it in your hand and feeling the roughed up areas it would be impossible to tell from a scan. The person who did that on this Posey was probably not doing it to fake people out, but aesthetically trying to make the item look more like a 3X5 (which some people really get into). Who knows, but 100% this is an authentic signature clipped from one of the Homestead diplomas and then the rest of the ink was sanded away.

Rhys

[RichardSimon]

Rhys - I don't know how you can make the claim that it is 100% authentic without actually having it for an in person inspection.
You do say you need it in hand then you say it is 100%.
If you say it can be done with sandpaper I believe you. But you still need it in hand to determine if it is a laser print or has been sanded.
And someone who is aware enough to send it to PSA would probably know that a document is much more valuable then a simple signature.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by prewarsports

If you look closely you can see where the other ink was sanded away. And yes this can be done. I was just serving as a court appointed expert (fraudulent photographs) a few months ago where a guy was sanding off ALL the ink on the backs of vintage press photos and then adding Conlon, Paul Thompson and Van Oeyen stamps over the blank backs in an attempt top turn Acme and United Press photos into the work of famous photographers. Without holding it in your hand and feeling the roughed up areas it would be impossible to tell from a scan. The person who did that on this Posey was probably not doing it to fake people out, but aesthetically trying to make the item look more like a 3X5 (which some people really get into). Who knows, but 100% this is an authentic signature clipped from one of the Homestead diplomas and then the rest of the ink was sanded away.

Rhys

Can you reveal the name of the person who was doing this to the photos?
Is it someone we know?

[prewarsports]

I should have said "appears to be 100% authentic" as you are correct, if it is a copy. I was referencing the signature appearance (whether its real or not) but of course if it is a copy that is a whole other can of worms. The paper appears to be old and the signature appears to be consistent with other examples so I am sure its real unless of course it a copy of a real one.


Rhys