Is this Unitas Auto real?

[BenLock12]

Hi everyone! I’m new on the platform and I was just curious if anyone can give me their opinion on the authenticity of this 2001 Donruss Classics Johnny Unitas auto I just got on eBay. It will be going through eBay authenticity guarantee but I still had questions since the signature doesn’t seem 100% consistent with what I have seen online and I know the 2001 Upper Deck Legends Unitas has been famously counterfeited I guess you could say I’m just a little paranoid on it all. Any advice or insight would be appreciated!

[marinocollector]

legit

[Grid]

100% real, and consistent with how he was signing towards the end of his life. He died shortly after that release.

It has the crimp from the old DLP. Looks to have been held back, Im sure to use for someone sending in a damaged copy or whatnot. Which was common.

Those types of cards (no serial numbering) would later pop up in "Buy Back" products, like Honors. Or used in Black Box type giveaways, and later stamped with a SSP serial number, or double crimped to match the box.

I saw a lot of those types come out of the old Hawaii Trade Show boxes that were given away.

[marinocollector]

Originally Posted by Grid

100% real, and consistent with how he was signing towards the end of his life. He died shortly after that release.

It has the crimp from the old DLP. Looks to have been held back, Im sure to use for someone sending in a damaged copy or whatnot. Which was common.

Those types of cards (no serial numbering) would later pop up in "Buy Back" products, like Honors. Or used in Black Box type giveaways, and later stamped with a SSP serial number, or double crimped to match the box.

I saw a lot of those types come out of the old Hawaii Trade Show boxes that were given away.

This is not a buy back or held back copy.
2001 Donruss Classics Signatures WERE NOT NUMBERED. They only announced the print run. The base card was numbered hence the area for stamping.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by marinocollector

This is not a buy back or held back copy.
2001 Donruss Classics Signatures WERE NOT NUMBERED. They only announced the print run. The base card was numbered hence the area for stamping.

I didn't say it was a buyback, I said it looks to have been held back (which were later used for "buy backs".

If the 2001 autos were never serial numbered, then its perfect the way it is.

No need to get all pissy with the all CAPS, we both agreed it was real.

[marinocollector]

Originally Posted by Grid

I didn't say it was a buyback, I said it looks to have been held back (which were later used for "buy backs".

If the 2001 autos were never serial numbered, then its perfect the way it is.

No need to get all pissy with the all CAPS, we both agreed it was real.

The all caps was for emphasis. Not pissy. Common misconception with this set as it was the first year of the product and the only one they did not number. I apologize if you feel like I was attacking you, I was not. If attacking anything, I was attacking the misinformation.

[hugh]

If you get defensive, nobody will bother answering your questions

[unitasfan]

Real, unfortunately Johnny's hands were becoming severely crippled before he died in 2002. I remember reading an article about him and it had a picture of his hand. May 7, 2001 Sports Illustrated

[Fulmer4MVP]

Originally Posted by hugh

If you get defensive, nobody will bother answering your questions

The OP didn't get defensive

[Fulmer4MVP]

Originally Posted by unitasfan

Real, unfortunately Johnny's hands were becoming severely crippled before he died in 2002. I remember reading an article about him and it had a picture of his hand. May 7, 2001 Sports Illustrated

[Grid]