Babe Ruth $$$

[SteveS]

Pete and James, here's a comparison of the same area of the jersey. If you blow it up you can see the tiny crosses on the left picture that aren't on the right. I've never seen those crosses on the fakes, and always figured that they were part of the printing process and difficult to replicate.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by SteveS

Pete and James, here's a comparison of the same area of the jersey. If you blow it up you can see the tiny crosses on the left picture that aren't on the right. I've never seen those crosses on the fakes, and always figured that they were part of the printing process and difficult to replicate.

Thats helpful thx steve!

[TUM301]

Thanks for pointing this out. Acquired this raw example a while back and just never got it graded. Took your advice and there they are plain as day, thanks again.
1928 Frojoy, Babe Ruth`s Grip ! by Hugh Murphy, on Flickr

[SteveS]

Very cool, TUM301. One thing I should say is that I haven't checked every type of reprint out there. I checked several just to make sure, and it holds true for the ones I saw for card #1. I imagine there are printers out there that can replicate things to the tiniest detail, like the crosses. So check other things, such as making sure that the box on the back is a full square, without any breaks in the corners.

EDIT: I just spent awhile looking through a bunch of Fro Joys advertised as reprints. Some better than others. But while I did not see any crosses on cards #1-4, I did see them on a few of the #5 (Grip) and #6 (Crack Fielder) cards. I attach an example of a #5 reprint that appears to have the crosses. However, in every one of those that I saw, the corners of the box on the back do not connect. I also attach a picture of that. While I can't say for sure as I haven't checked every single example out there, when it comes to the #5, the crosses on the front and the connecting box on the back are very good signs.

[mrreality68]

Amazing How many different types of collectible items there are from cards, to photos, to books, pins, Tins and so much more

Time to potentially expand the Search for Ruth Collectibles

[ullmandds]

Very cool and I learned something new here! And I’m relieved to have just checked my three raw examples (1,4,5) and they all have all the characteristics of authentic examples…Lots of crosses and continuous box lineage.

Originally Posted by SteveS

Very cool, TUM301. One thing I should say is that I haven't checked every type of reprint out there. I checked several just to make sure, and it holds true for the ones I saw for card #1. I imagine there are printers out there that can replicate things to the tiniest detail, like the crosses. So check other things, such as making sure that the box on the back is a full square, without any breaks in the corners.

EDIT: I just spent awhile looking through a bunch of Fro Joys advertised as reprints. Some better than others. But while I did not see any crosses on cards #1-4, I did see them on a few of the #5 (Grip) and #6 (Crack Fielder) cards. I attach an example of a #5 reprint that appears to have the crosses. However, in every one of those that I saw, the corners of the box on the back do not connect. I also attach a picture of that. While I can't say for sure as I haven't checked every single example out there, when it comes to the #5, the crosses on the front and the connecting box on the back are very good signs.

[Leon]

Ruth had some great postcards...

[BobC]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Very cool and I learned something new here! And I’m relieved to have just checked my three raw examples (1,4,5) and they all have all the characteristics of authentic examples…Lots of crosses and continuous box lineage.

Just did the same check with my three raw Fro Joy cards (2,2,5), and they all exhibited the authentic characteristics as well. Great thread, had never heard about this feature on the authentic Fro Joys before.

But, if the existence of the small crosses/X's on the fronts, and closed/completed corners on the back, are really all that is needed to determine authenticity of the cards in this set, how come there has been so much perceived controversy and issues with TPGs authenticating and grading these cards in the past? This way to verify authenticity almost seems too good to be true, especially to those who like collecting raw cards. And we all know what is often said when something seems to good to be true..........!

I truly hope this thread and info is spot on. Just concerned a bit still because the answer seems almost too easy.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by BobC

Just did the same check with my three raw Fro Joy cards (2,2,5), and they all exhibited the authentic characteristics as well. Great thread, had never heard about this feature on the authentic Fro Joys before.

But, if the existence of the small crosses/X's on the fronts, and closed/completed corners on the back, are really all that is needed to determine authenticity of the cards in this set, how come there has been so much perceived controversy and issues with TPGs authenticating and grading these cards in the past? This way to verify authenticity almost seems too good to be true, especially to those who like collecting raw cards. And we all know what is often said when something seems to good to be true..........!

I truly hope this thread and info is spot on. Just concerned a bit still because the answer seems almost too easy.

Good points...it certainly seems like more "collectors" have snapped up fro joys recently because they are cheap relatively speaking for their rarity/desirability.

I have a fake sheet I purchased back in college I will examine for x's/crosses when I get a chance.

Agree that if these 2 attributes are smoking guns this should change the whole collecting dynamic of fro joys.

I'm glad I just acquired my last one to complete my set!