MJ Auto Legit?

ivbaseball06 · 02-21-2021, 04:19 PM

Hey guys - this one popped up on my local Craigslist today. Thinking about going and snagging it. Do you think it’s legit? The ‘M’ in Michael looks spot on to me.

It comes with a COA from “Sports Fever” dated in 1995.

Any input is appreciated!

rifleman69 · 02-21-2021, 04:22 PM

Nope, faker than Elaine Benes in bed.

Brent72 · 02-21-2021, 04:27 PM

That actually looks like a pretty legit MJ auto to me. If it's not someone did a good job faking it.

JWBlue · 02-21-2021, 04:47 PM

Is there any contact information for Sports Fever? I would contact them and ask if they had an MJ signing or it is only an authentication.

rainmaker · 02-21-2021, 04:49 PM

No good

hockeyguyrich · 02-21-2021, 04:51 PM

If that's not autopenned that forger needs an award

gameissued · 02-21-2021, 04:59 PM

I would lean toward no.. better to just pass wait for something else that's absolutely spot on.

ivbaseball06 · 02-21-2021, 05:20 PM

I went and bought it. He had it listed for $100. Worth the gamble. The guy lived less than 5 minutes away in a house 5x the size of mine, for whatever that's worth.

I couldn't find any info online about this Sport's Fever place. The COA lists 3 brick-and-mortar addresses and is signed by the owner Jeffrey Blatt.

I called a collector friend of mine in Chicago that I've bought a number of Jordan autos from. He's in his 70s and knows everybody in the Chicago memorabilia scene. Sure enough, I asked him if he'd ever heard of Sport's Fever and he, no lie, goes "oh yeah, that's my friend Jeffrey Blatt's old store. My son used to work at the one in Northbrook".

According to my friend, they were mostly a jersey / unsigned memorabilia store, but would occasionally do private signings with Mantle, Jordan, Pippen, Payton, etc. He vouched for them and said "if it has Jeffrey's name on it, it's legit".

So I think my next step is to try and reach out to Jeffrey (I got his phone # from my friend) and get more info, then send it to JSA or PSA.

Brent72 · 02-21-2021, 05:40 PM

I would have gambled $100 on it too. The autograph looks good enough to take that chance.

carl2001 · 02-21-2021, 06:03 PM

Looks perfect. Too perfect.

ivbaseball06 · 02-21-2021, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl2001

Looks perfect. Too perfect.

Yeah, I would agree. Looking at it in person, it almost looks like an autopen. But I can’t seem to find any other examples of MJ using an autopen in the 90s. Just stuff from the 80s where you can read every letter of his name, signed on B&W photos for fanmail. Not to mention that I would think an autopen signature would be neater / more spelled out. And I can’t imagine a reputable memorabilia shop in Chicago putting a “we witnessed this signing” cert on an autopen and selling it. But who knows.

Brent72 · 02-21-2021, 06:21 PM

Looks almost the same as this one which was certified as being real.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MICHAE...sAAOSwbR9e3q3q

rainmaker · 02-21-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent72

Looks almost the same as this one which was certified as being real.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MICHAE...sAAOSwbR9e3q3q

its very different. this one is legit and UDA.

sorry OP you wasted $100. #@#@#@#@ if you think someone would sell an authentic MJ auto for $100 then you don't understand the market. anything since mid 90s will only be Upper Deck Authenticated.

MJ never sat and did a signing with lined up fans. It just never happened. Perhaps a few in his rookie year. By the time that photo was taken, based on the uniform year... its simply not something that ever happened.

Its a lousy fake.

thecomebacker · 02-21-2021, 07:12 PM

The auto actually looks like MJ’s, but it looks printed on, not actual hand signed.

rifleman69 · 02-21-2021, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent72

Looks almost the same as this one which was certified as being real.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MICHAE...sAAOSwbR9e3q3q

LOL, are you blind? Those look nothing alike, especially on the "Jordan" part.

ivbaseball06 · 02-21-2021, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecomebacker

The auto actually looks like MJ’s, but it looks printed on, not actual hand signed.

It's definitely gold paint pen / Sharpie. It gleens in the light when you move it around. Not sure a printed signature would do that?

Brent72 · 02-21-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rifleman69

LOL, are you blind? Those look nothing alike, especially on the "Jordan" part.

I was talking about the gold ink on that one looking identical to what's on his photo

PSA2Pac · 02-21-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivbaseball06

I went and bought it. He had it listed for $100. Worth the gamble. The guy lived less than 5 minutes away in a house 5x the size of mine, for whatever that's worth.

I couldn't find any info online about this Sport's Fever place. The COA lists 3 brick-and-mortar addresses and is signed by the owner Jeffrey Blatt.

I called a collector friend of mine in Chicago that I've bought a number of Jordan autos from. He's in his 70s and knows everybody in the Chicago memorabilia scene. Sure enough, I asked him if he'd ever heard of Sport's Fever and he, no lie, goes "oh yeah, that's my friend Jeffrey Blatt's old store. My son used to work at the one in Northbrook".

According to my friend, they were mostly a jersey / unsigned memorabilia store, but would occasionally do private signings with Mantle, Jordan, Pippen, Payton, etc. He vouched for them and said "if it has Jeffrey's name on it, it's legit".

So I think my next step is to try and reach out to Jeffrey (I got his phone # from my friend) and get more info, then send it to JSA or PSA.

Thats an interesting story and Im interested to see how the authentication goes

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecomebacker

The auto actually looks like MJ’s, but it looks printed on, not actual hand signed.

sorta agree, but looking at it I can kinda see gold sharpie

As mentioned already in this thread, I thought MJ was only doing official signings with Upper Deck, and that relationship, from my hazy memory, goes back pretty far.

Jordan was definitely signing for people IP, but those wouldnt come with Sports Fever certificate of authenticity

rifleman69 · 02-21-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent72

I was talking about the gold ink on that one looking identical to what's on his photo

lol, so a gold sharpie is the hill you're going to die on?

JWBlue · 02-21-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivbaseball06

I went and bought it. He had it listed for $100. Worth the gamble. The guy lived less than 5 minutes away in a house 5x the size of mine, for whatever that's worth.

I couldn't find any info online about this Sport's Fever place. The COA lists 3 brick-and-mortar addresses and is signed by the owner Jeffrey Blatt.

I called a collector friend of mine in Chicago that I've bought a number of Jordan autos from. He's in his 70s and knows everybody in the Chicago memorabilia scene. Sure enough, I asked him if he'd ever heard of Sport's Fever and he, no lie, goes "oh yeah, that's my friend Jeffrey Blatt's old store. My son used to work at the one in Northbrook".

According to my friend, they were mostly a jersey / unsigned memorabilia store, but would occasionally do private signings with Mantle, Jordan, Pippen, Payton, etc. He vouched for them and said "if it has Jeffrey's name on it, it's legit".

So I think my next step is to try and reach out to Jeffrey (I got his phone # from my friend) and get more info, then send it to JSA or PSA.

Does the COA say it was from a signing on a particular date and that he witnessed the signing?

Asian62150 · 02-21-2021, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainmaker

its very different. this one is legit and UDA.

sorry OP you wasted $100. #@#@#@#@ if you think someone would sell an authentic MJ auto for $100 then you don't understand the market. anything since mid 90s will only be Upper Deck Authenticated.

MJ never sat and did a signing with lined up fans. It just never happened. Perhaps a few in his rookie year. By the time that photo was taken, based on the uniform year... its simply not something that ever happened.

Its a lousy fake.

My buddy actually got an in-person auto from MJ back in the fall of 1985 (start of sophomore campaign) at Montgomery Ward at Yorktown Mall.

MJ even inscribed it "To Marshall. He can sure play some good ball."

My buddy still has the autographed photo and also has a photo with himself and MJ the day of the signing.

ivbaseball06 · 02-21-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Does the COA say it was from a signing on a particular date and that he witnessed the signing?

Yes. It says "the signing was personally witnessed" and is signed and dated by the owner Jeffrey Blatt. I've confirmed that this person does exist and owned 3 brick-and-mortar shops around Chicago in the 90s.

The date on the COA is 7/25/95. This would have been the summer after the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs when Jordan came back midway through the season wearing 45.

Brent72 · 02-21-2021, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rifleman69

lol, so a gold sharpie is the hill you're going to die on?

I said it looked similar. I couldn't really give less of **** what you think.

duron · 02-21-2021, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyguyrich

If that's not autopenned that forger needs an award

Thought the same

JWBlue · 02-21-2021, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivbaseball06

Yes. It says "the signing was personally witnessed" and is signed and dated by the owner Jeffrey Blatt. I've confirmed that this person does exist and owned 3 brick-and-mortar shops around Chicago in the 90s.

The date on the COA is 7/25/95. This would have been the summer after the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs when Jordan came back midway through the season wearing 45.

Seems legit. Also most of his autographs don't have his first and last name running together. A forger would probably not do this. It does not even look close to the MJ autographs I am looking at. More legitimacy.

The only question mark is my mind would be whether it is realistic for Jordan at the height of his powers to be sitting down and signing autographs at a shop.

Did the seller say where he got it? I know it was after the sale but I would ask any way.

02-21-2021, 04:19 PM	#1
ivbaseball06 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,663 ivbaseball06	MJ Auto Legit? Hey guys - this one popped up on my local Craigslist today. Thinking about going and snagging it. Do you think it’s legit? The ‘M’ in Michael looks spot on to me. It comes with a COA from “Sports Fever” dated in 1995. Any input is appreciated!

02-21-2021, 04:49 PM	#5
rainmaker Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2,824 thewescoast	No good __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/152850287@N08/albums

02-21-2021, 06:03 PM	#10
carl2001 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,335 cardcollectorcarl	Looks perfect. Too perfect. __________________ I collect BASKETBALL cards and old sealed boxes.

02-21-2021, 07:12 PM	#14
thecomebacker Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CA, USA Posts: 2,043	The auto actually looks like MJ’s, but it looks printed on, not actual hand signed. __________________ lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Collecting Bulls Players 3 Color GU Patch Cards.

02-21-2021, 04:22 PM	#2
rifleman69 Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,534	Nope, faker than Elaine Benes in bed.

02-21-2021, 04:27 PM	#3
Brent72 Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois Posts: 697	That actually looks like a pretty legit MJ auto to me. If it's not someone did a good job faking it.

02-21-2021, 04:47 PM	#4
JWBlue Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 9,437	Is there any contact information for Sports Fever? I would contact them and ask if they had an MJ signing or it is only an authentication.

02-21-2021, 04:51 PM	#6
hockeyguyrich Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Reading pa Posts: 1,804 Icepatch05	If that's not autopenned that forger needs an award

02-21-2021, 04:59 PM	#7
gameissued Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,468 gameissued	I would lean toward no.. better to just pass wait for something else that's absolutely spot on.

02-21-2021, 05:20 PM	#8
ivbaseball06 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,663 ivbaseball06	I went and bought it. He had it listed for $100. Worth the gamble. The guy lived less than 5 minutes away in a house 5x the size of mine, for whatever that's worth. I couldn't find any info online about this Sport's Fever place. The COA lists 3 brick-and-mortar addresses and is signed by the owner Jeffrey Blatt. I called a collector friend of mine in Chicago that I've bought a number of Jordan autos from. He's in his 70s and knows everybody in the Chicago memorabilia scene. Sure enough, I asked him if he'd ever heard of Sport's Fever and he, no lie, goes "oh yeah, that's my friend Jeffrey Blatt's old store. My son used to work at the one in Northbrook". According to my friend, they were mostly a jersey / unsigned memorabilia store, but would occasionally do private signings with Mantle, Jordan, Pippen, Payton, etc. He vouched for them and said "if it has Jeffrey's name on it, it's legit". So I think my next step is to try and reach out to Jeffrey (I got his phone # from my friend) and get more info, then send it to JSA or PSA.

02-21-2021, 05:40 PM	#9
Brent72 Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois Posts: 697	I would have gambled $100 on it too. The autograph looks good enough to take that chance.

02-21-2021, 06:21 PM	#12
Brent72 Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois Posts: 697	Looks almost the same as this one which was certified as being real. https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MICHAE...sAAOSwbR9e3q3q