52 topps attic find and detecting fakes

MikeGarcia · #1 11-02-2020, 06:29 AM

..I hope things work out for you ; my red flag for all this is the story of sending in a few through his "local card shop" and then you mentioned the cards are in Montana......the people I know who still have local card shops really are on the constant alert for people like him that just walk in with a story like his , and then to go through the process of helping him send in a few for grading , without going all "Mr. Mint" on this guy.....well, like I said , I hope things work out for you.....

..

JohnnyKilroy · #2 11-02-2020, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

..I hope things work out for you ; my red flag for all this is the story of sending in a few through his "local card shop" and then you mentioned the cards are in Montana......the people I know who still have local card shops really are on the constant alert for people like him that just walk in with a story like his , and then to go through the process of helping him send in a few for grading , without going all "Mr. Mint" on this guy.....well, like I said , I hope things work out for you.....

..

I hear ya. He�s going to mail me a few random commons and high numbers that I chose. I�ll put scans up when I get them. If they look legit, I couldn�t see why the rest wouldn�t be.

cardsagain74 · #3 11-02-2020, 10:47 AM

Devil's advocate here, but:

"Snow white borders and perfect centering"? (hallmark of the most obvious fakes or reprints)

Using an ebay stranger who just bought two cards and talked with you for awhile for all this (instead of continuing with the local card shop, as most people who have finds would)?

Sending that stranger high numbers that aren't paid for without a concern in the world?

Be careful....

JohnnyKilroy · #4 11-02-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

Devil's advocate here, but:

"Snow white borders and perfect centering"? (hallmark of the most obvious fakes or reprints)

Using an ebay stranger who just bought two cards and talked with you for awhile for all this (instead of continuing with the local card shop, as most people who have finds would)?

Sending that stranger high numbers that aren't paid for without a concern in the world?

Be careful....

Oh for sure. We are working out the details for which high numbers he sends, but I will pay a little. He understands how the story obviously sounds. We are both trying to figure out the best way to do this and feel comfortable. He�s not really soliciting me. And truthfully, the more I find out, and pics I see, the more I believe it. Still not sending thousands of dollars unless certain obviously. And there�s always the option to fly in and see the cards myself, as stated earlier, I wouldn�t even know what to look for. It�s kind of why we came up with the idea of just sending me a few randoms of my choice.

BTW, I�ve been following your 52 topps quest! Amazing!! If this pans out, I might actually take a run at it.

cardsagain74 · #5 11-02-2020, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyKilroy

Oh for sure. We are working out the details for which high numbers he sends, but I will pay a little. He understands how the story obviously sounds. We are both trying to figure out the best way to do this and feel comfortable. He�s not really soliciting me. And truthfully, the more I find out, and pics I see, the more I believe it. Still not sending thousands of dollars unless certain obviously. And there�s always the option to fly in and see the cards myself, as stated earlier, I wouldn�t even know what to look for. It�s kind of why we came up with the idea of just sending me a few randoms of my choice.

BTW, I�ve been following your 52 topps quest! Amazing!! If this pans out, I might actually take a run at it.

Thanks. A find of all those high number commons/minors in VG would be too ideal to help finish my set. Hope it works out for you!

And "House of Games" was incredible

swarmee · #6 11-02-2020, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyKilroy

I wouldn�t even know what to look for. It�s kind of why we came up with the idea of just sending me a few randoms

Then you need to buy some real 1952 Topps cards either here or COMC/Ebay to be able to compare them in hand when these come in. Get a couple white backs and a couple gray backs (ones from other series than 131-190) because they'll be cheaper.
But, as stated, there really aren't any counterfeits of the entire set. Just cost prohibitive to do it for no gain.

Tao_Moko · #7 11-02-2020, 06:15 PM

This is very cool and look like they have a high probability of being authentic to me. Not far fetched as it was a mass produced set. I had partial to complete sets of 51B-69T in boxes just like displayed in your image and I wish I had them back. Good luck. I hope this works out for you.

irv · #8 11-02-2020, 08:59 PM

Same as above. I hope everything is on the up and up and all works out for you.
It's a great set, imo, but of course I am biased.

Lorewalker · #9 11-02-2020, 11:04 AM

If they were found in his friends' grandparents home is he selling them for his friend? Why is his friend not selling them since it sounds like he does not know the card market that well?

Also you stated his story does not have too many holes. I like my stories to not have any holes.

Hope it works out but if you have ever seen the film House of Games from the late 80s how a conman earns the trust of his victims before he swindles them, it would give you pause. Might be worth a trip to Montana.

JohnnyKilroy · #10 11-02-2020, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

If they were found in his friends' grandparents home is he selling them for his friend? Why is his friend not selling them since it sounds like he does not know the card market that well?

Also you stated his story does not have too many holes. I like my stories to not have any holes.

Hope it works out but if you have ever seen the film House of Games from the late 80s how a conman earns the trust of his victims before he swindles them, it would give you pause. Might be worth a trip to Montana.

Story goes, friend found the cards, kept the Mantle and gave the rest to him because he owed him money. I’ve seen a pic of the Mantle. It had all the markings/signs that should be there for the type 2, but yes.. I understand fakes are only getting better. As for the holes, it’s just one of those things that starts off with holes, then they slowly get filled. So one of two things is happening.. he’s either the conman from House of Games, or it’s legit. Either way, not getting my money till I’m certain.

Pause is there. I’m not a big risk taker. So this will be a process. The card I bought from him was fairly close to market value too, so not like I got a screaming deal. I’m sure he has the ability and know how to look up past ebay sales. I think where the deal comes in is buying in bulk and I haven’t even began to dig into the deal portion. I’m still focusing on whether they are real or not... then we talk numbers.

111gecko · #11 11-02-2020, 11:53 AM

You mentioned all the card savers hold the "high numbers". The one shown is # 172 Eddie Miksis. Maybe you could have him send a list of numbers to make sure he knows they are 311-407?

oldeboo · #12 11-02-2020, 12:06 PM

In the internet age it's not hard to believe that people take a hard pass on selling to a brick and mortar store. There are dealers that will pay a pretty big price, but generally pay pennies on the dollar for big projects like this. Most would probably prefer to buy the big ticket HOF cards and flip those or flip as is, but not everyone is putting together a 52 Topps set. Breaking up a partial set is a lot of work and can take years. Likewise, it's a lot of work for any seller. I would doubt he gives you an absolutely screaming deal as I'm sure he was offered a low price already.

I don't find this to be overly impossible as a legitimate deal. Will be interesting to see how it unfolds once you share more.

JohnnyKilroy · #13 11-02-2020, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 111gecko

You mentioned all the card savers hold the "high numbers". The one shown is # 172 Eddie Miksis. Maybe you could have him send a list of numbers to make sure he knows they are 311-407?

Nice! That helps! I�ll do it now.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What are some good resources to learn about detecting fakes/reprints?	wnp22	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	18	09-20-2016 04:35 PM
Grandpa's attic find SOLD	buymycards	Live Auctions - Only 2-3 open, per member, at once.	5	06-23-2015 08:52 PM
A Real Attic Find	TheBig6	Postwar Baseball Cards Forum (Pre-1980)	5	05-05-2014 08:27 PM
WOW.... Amazing find in attic!!!	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	7	01-27-2008 10:40 AM
Attic Find!!! Ohhh, shoot, it's just a reprint!	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	3	02-15-2004 02:34 AM