Let's see some counterfeits, reprints, fakes, fugazies, Broders, etc.

[Exhibitman]

We've all got them, so let's let this shameful aspect of our collections out of the closet.

I got this Joe Jackson at the 2019 National. Terry Knouse was selling it and he said it was a POS but I thought someone went to a lot of effort to make it, so I had him throw it into a deal:



The source is a Fatima poster. Josh Evans and I looked at it under a magnifier and determined it was most likely made using an old-school photocopier. It is a fun conversation piece.

Or it is a rare uncatalogued Joe Jackson card. Yeah, thats the ticket!

[brianp-beme]

Over the years I have come across several reprints. For me quite often they have been part of a bigger lot of authentic cards, and I knew beforehand that there were some stinkers in there. The T206 with perforations, incorrect back print colors, white out and scuffing/pen over the 'reprint' designation, and the incorrect corner radius on the National Game card all fall into this category (the National Game card came from a prominent, and still in business, auction house).

I believe that the T201 cards were in a lot on Ebay that had authentic vintage cards, but I thought the whole lot consisted of only genuine cards, based on the somewhat less than clear images. In hand they were easy to pick out as altered reprints.

The third category of these reprints is the embarrassing one. I spotted the slabbed one shown below (only front was shown in the listing) on Ebay many years ago, instantly identified the card as being a Schapira Cobb card, and jumped on the BIN. I was taking a flier on a card that I thought could possibly be real, but also realizing that there was a very good possibility that it was not. I noticed that the homemade label identified it as "Ty Cobb 1909 Strip Card Authentic". I looked forward to what the postal worker would deliver.

What I failed to notice in all my haste was that label also stated 'Reprint'.

When I received it, my forehead couldn't have been thunked fast enough by my unforgiving hand. I had just bought an Authentic Reprint (in a decent sealed plastic case, by the way). I think I went back to the listing and it even identified the card as a reprint.

The moral of the Cobb story is...at least I wasn't stupid enough to spend more than $8.00 for it. I like to keep it around to humble myself from time to time.

Brian

[Rhotchkiss]

Not mine. But shameful on psa and it’s a been a while since this beauty has been posted

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Not mine. But shameful on psa and it’s a been a while since this beauty has been posted

But at least PSA accurately graded this Cracker Jack reprint of Mack at the 1.5 level. I believe they lowered the grade of this fine specimen due to the 'rough' borders.

Brian

[GasHouseGang]

Here are a few. These cards have appeared on these pages in previous posts.

[Yoda]

I learned a hard and expensive lesson by buying a Cobb Wolverine PC several years ago and went to the National expecting to have it graded. I showed it around to a group at the table of a nationally known dealer and many thought it had a good chance of being ok; however a bright young spark spoke up and muttered something like, "Naw, no good the pixels aren't right." First time, I heard that phrase and it was a game changer. SGC rightfully agreed and marked it as counterfeit. Still have it to remind myself.

[Directly]

The 1952 Mantle just sold for a bunch--this ones pretty nice too-( a little off center)-is $20.00 asking too much?--I know a collector who paid 5,000 for the same card but it was scratched up---like the the old saying, if its to good to be true??

[nat]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I believe that the T201 cards were in a lot on Ebay that had authentic vintage cards, but I thought the whole lot consisted of only genuine cards, based on the somewhat less than clear images. In hand they were easy to pick out as altered reprints.

What's the giveaway on the 201s? If I know that they're bad and I'm looking for something, I might say that the stock is too thick, but for reprints they're pretty good.

[fkm_bky]

Just picked these up b/c it allows me to have representation in my HOF Portrait run. Nobody in their right mind would think either are legit.

Bill

[3-2-count]

That reprint Cy Young T206 portrait above was actually slabbed numerically by Psa.

[gonefishin]

I purchased these from an auction house along with some W516's of Collins and Mathewson. I sent them to SGC. All the W516s came back graded, all the W551s came back as counterfeit - yes that's what they stated - counterfeit. I eventually got a partial refund for the W551s but have always been curious how there were authentic 516s mixed in with counterfeit 551s.

I've also included a pic of Mathewson that came back authentic.

By the way, I magnified the print on all the cards and the printing method appeared to be the real deal on all cards. I was pretty surprised.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by fkm_bky

Just picked these up b/c it allows me to have representation in my HOF Portrait run. Nobody in their right mind would think either are legit.

Bill

That Plank is actually a fairly accurate looking reproduction, except for a couple of suspicious corners. I guess that makes me left minded.

Brian

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

That reprint Cy Young T206 portrait above was actually slabbed numerically by Psa.

Here it is

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Here it is

This is as bad as the dover reprint cj!!!

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

That reprint Cy Young T206 portrait above was actually slabbed numerically by Psa.

I guess that Cy Young card is younger than what PSA thought it was.

Brian

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Here it is

Wow. What makes the card fall into the fake category?

[fkm_bky]

Yeah,

When you look at it as an image it’s pretty good, but the second you hold it you can see and feel that it’s not even remotely legit. I wanted one that looked close but could never be mistaken by anyone as real…well, except PSA who might grade it 😂

Bill

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

That Plank is actually a fairly accurate looking reproduction, except for a couple of suspicious corners. I guess that makes me left minded.

Brian

[Clutch-Hitter]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

I purchased these from an auction house along with some W516's of Collins and Mathewson. I sent them to SGC. All the W516s came back graded, all the W551s came back as counterfeit - yes that's what they stated - counterfeit. I eventually got a partial refund for the W551s but have always been curious how there were authentic 516s mixed in with counterfeit 551s.

I've also included a pic of Mathewson that came back authentic.

By the way, I magnified the print on all the cards and the printing method appeared to be the real deal on all cards. I was pretty surprised.

The W551s were reprinted by Fritsch with blue letters

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Huck

Wow. What makes the card fall into the fake category?

Besides the fact the writing/print is too dark (give away one), its just very off/doesn’t look right all around. Here are a few real ones compared to the reprint. In hand, the expert TPG should have been able to tell this was fake

[joejo20]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nebboy]

My bad buy - I keep it just to remind myself to do your research no matter what.

[jingram058]

I am not as good at fake detection with the naked eye as I thought I was. However, I do have a loupe and a hand-held blacklight. Hard to get around modern printing, modern cardboard density, and fluorescence. In my last big trade, these tools were utilized by me and my trade partner. We did it at a fast food burrito restaurant, going back and forth to the men's bathroom checking cards. Everyone thought it was curious and interesting what we were doing. Both he and I walked away satisfied that what we traded for was very real.

[Huck]

What is your guess on the percentage of cards in PSA, SGC and BGS holders that are fake? The fake Young would sell because of the holder. I applaud the raw only collectors, but I can't see anyone dropping major iron on a card that is not graded.

[ValKehl]

Similar to the card Joe Jones shows in post #20 of this thread, I got stuck with this group of Old Judge reprints about 25 years ago. I'm pretty sure none of these are legit.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Huck

What is your guess on the percentage of cards in PSA, SGC and BGS holders that are fake? The fake Young would sell because of the holder. I applaud the raw only collectors, but I can't see anyone dropping major iron on a card that is not graded.

I think the percentage of fake cards in one of their holders would be tiny. They make mistakes but I think it's pretty rare for them to grade a fake one. And yes, I have seen a handful or so, and think I have a few, but I have looked at thousands and thousands of slabbed cards.
That said, a few of those graded fakes are freaking atrocious.
.

[CobbSpikedMe]

A little OT as these aren't prewar, but three of these cards are counterfeit. I bought them knowing they were fake so I could get an idea of what a fake one could look like in person. They are fairly easy to spot in hand, but mixed with other low grade authentic cards, they kind of blend well.

I also have a fake T206 Cobb green portrait and a W514 Jennings that was reprinted. Again, easy to tell in hand, but looks ok in a scan. The Cobb is an obvious fake though, even in a scan. I don't have images of these two handy or I would post them.




.

[bigfanNY]

This is a beauty H801-9 Globe with Cobb and Jackson. This was one of the first " fantasy " cards I came accross. Guy was asking $775 for it. Wanted to trade my Dad for a 52 Bowman Mantle and a couple 53 Topps stars. I looked it over told my dad I would be right back but not to complete deal. I went and talked to promoter who could not belive it. Another dealer at his last show got stuck with same card. We start walking back and guy just takes off left his card did not take any of ours and went out the back door. I have had it ever since.
My Dads eyes weren't great but as soon as he touched it he knew it was no good.