Trade up for a mantle .. legit ?

Dusty1985 · 10-16-2022, 01:17 PM

I have the opportunity to trade up towards a mantle. I was wondering if I could see if some expertise could be on this autograph if it’s authentic or not..

The signature seems to be linear and the pictures age I would put it in about 25 to 30 years ago the sharpie seems clean with no extra stopping points or loops.

oplum29 · 10-16-2022, 01:33 PM

why not just buy a legit Mantle autograph on eBay and take away that insecurity of not knowing for sure if the autograph is legit or not?

awz50 · 10-16-2022, 01:34 PM

Well I can tell you it's no good

hxcmilkshake · 10-16-2022, 01:35 PM

Net54

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

VinnyH · 10-16-2022, 02:12 PM

Unfortunately there are thousands of decent looking fakes out there. You almost have to assume it is bad until you get multiple yes answers from veteran collectors at Net54 or get it authenticated for $$ by PSA or JSA.
Vinny

ThoseBackPages · 10-16-2022, 02:52 PM

looks fresh

Pacmeyer · 10-16-2022, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty1985

The signature seems to be linear and the pictures age I would put it in about 25 to 30 years ago the sharpie seems clean with no extra stopping points or loops.

That an 8x10? If so it's a really thick pen even for a regular sharpie.

Dusty1985 · 10-16-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacmeyer

That an 8x10? If so it's a really thick pen even for a regular sharpie.

It is and the ‘sharpie’ doesn’t seem like it’s aged much.
More then likely I feel it’s a fake. I didn’t end up making a deal for it and let the guy know

Pacmeyer · 10-16-2022, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty1985

It is and the ‘sharpie’ doesn’t seem like it’s aged much.
More then likely I feel it’s a fake. I didn’t end up making a deal for it and let the guy know

Generally if a thicker pen was used than needed given the material's size, it's a warning sign since a thick pen helps hide flaws in a forgery.

ReggieBush22 · 10-16-2022, 03:26 PM

Does it come with a respected COA? If not, 99% likely fake. Just spend the right $$ and get a legit one. UDA is best bang for your buck.

ReggieBush22 · 10-16-2022, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnyH

Unfortunately there are thousands of decent looking fakes out there. You almost have to assume it is bad until you get multiple yes answers from veteran collectors at Net54 or get it authenticated for $$ by PSA or JSA.
Vinny

I'm sorry but even an authenticator's opinion can be wrong. We are talking nothing but strokes on a piece of paper. It can absolutely be duplicated. Sure there are obvious signs like is it a live pen, age of photo, type of pen used but if all those criterias are met, you can still fake sigs all day.

I was a big Dan Marino fan as a kid and could match his sig to a tee through repitition.

Dusty1985 · 10-16-2022, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReggieBush22

Does it come with a respected COA? If not, 99% likely fake. Just spend the right $$ and get a legit one. UDA is best bang for your buck.

No COA but the person who I was wanting to trade with it got it from a person who had a lot of other sports collectibles and autographs of many semi-stars and cards from the 60s- up that were all legit stuff.

Pacmeyer · 10-16-2022, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReggieBush22

I'm sorry but even an authenticator's opinion can be wrong. We are talking nothing but strokes on a piece of paper. It can absolutely be duplicated. Sure there are obvious signs like is it a live pen, age of photo, type of pen used but if all those criterias are met, you can still fake sigs all day.

I was a big Dan Marino fan as a kid and could match his sig to a tee through repitition.

Other than just staying away from any autograph you didn't see signed yourself, still worth doing some research or getting a second opinion. More likely than not, forged autos listed for sale are pretty lazy.

MiamiMarlinsFan · 10-16-2022, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty1985

No COA but the person who I was wanting to trade with it got it from a person who had a lot of other sports collectibles and autographs of many semi-stars and cards from the 60s- up that were all legit stuff.

I mean, you said that like it should be assuring, but it makes it seem even shadier. I would avoid.

mikejones · 10-16-2022, 04:09 PM

There was a documentary about some people who forged mantle balls and pictures. There were thousands of them. Can't seem to find it or remember who was in it. Anyone know?

This might be it. I can't find the video on YouTube anymore.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ullpen-forger/

dodgerfanjohn · 10-16-2022, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty1985

No COA but the person who I was wanting to trade with it got it from a person who had a lot of other sports collectibles and autographs of many semi-stars and cards from the 60s- up that were all legit stuff.

Jeez just don’t.

One of the most faked autos there is. I know a co worker of mine had one he had gotten in the 90’s at a card shop in the LA area that was supposedly reputable. I asked him if it came with a COA. He said it did and told me the authenticator.

One of the biggest frauds in the nation and the company actually went out of business in the aftermath of an FBI investigation. My co worker was crushed.

Bottom line on these is that if it has no COA, stay away, if it has a COA, google search. I don’t think there’s much I’d trust other than UDA or some major well regarded company that witnessed the signing in person(Steiner, Beckett, etc)

csmtampa · 10-16-2022, 08:37 PM

They didn't get this in person

This is a forgery style that's been around since the mid 90's and continues to be pumped out by the thousands

awz50 · 10-16-2022, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty1985

No COA but the person who I was wanting to trade with it got it from a person who had a lot of other sports collectibles and autographs of many semi-stars and cards from the 60s- up that were all legit stuff.

It's not good let it go

jayjones82 · 10-16-2022, 09:24 PM

The curving in the M’s doesn’t look fluid; looks like someone slowed or stopped a few times.

PuddleMonkey · 10-16-2022, 09:48 PM

looks fake to me

Brewersfan74 · 10-17-2022, 06:48 AM

With Mantle autographs most people focus on the unusual loop of his capital Ms and the loop in his y at the end of hist first name. But if I am evaluating his signature I would be looking for the loop in the a in Mantle and the loop in the k in Mickey. Those seem more important to check when attempting to authenticate a Mantle auto and a thick sharpie forgery purposefully hides these details that are more difficult to fake. I’m certainly no expert but I would have been hesitant to do a deal for this autograph based on what I have seen in other Mantle autos.

GMRide27 · 10-17-2022, 02:27 PM

Did he sign that this morning?

Silent George · 10-17-2022, 03:48 PM

I have a Mantle 8X10 that, based on what I'm seeing in this thread, I would get several, immediate, confident "fake" declarations - and I got it in person.

Not to go through all of them, because I don't see the point, but letter by letter it looks proper to me. Others are saying it looks shaky. I don't see it, but we're talking about the power of my eyes and monitors, and pixelated photos here - so I'll definitely concede it could be shaky, and my eyes just can't see it on the screen.

To me though, it's worth a value of the gamble of an inauthenticated Mantle. So long as in person it doesn't look printed or something. If you don't feel like you can afford one with a COA, and it's worth it to you to risk whatever he wants in trade - go for it, and then send it out to be checked.

That's the real question here. What's the value of risking if thing is real? The answer is not much. He signed a billion of these. You can get one with a COA buy it now for a couple hundred dollars easy. So without COA if we're talking about you giving up a Pat Tabler auto, go for it. If it's anything more than say, $30-$40 value, or an item you'll miss - I'm probably not taking the chance.

But Mantle is a legend, and a beautiful auto. Regardless of this photo, I think every good man cave should budget for the reasonably small investment to have one of those hanging on the wall.

Jaysabz · 10-17-2022, 03:49 PM

At first glance it looks like a legit Mantle, but the more I look at it I think it may not be real. Ask the trader to have it authenticated by PSA/DNA before the trade. If they are not willing, I'd avoid the trade at all costs.

Tails01 · 10-17-2022, 05:13 PM

Based on the "Ball Four" memoir, much of the "real" Mantle sigs that exist were done by his friends anyway.

10-16-2022, 01:17 PM	#1
Dusty1985 Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,437	Trade up for a mantle .. legit ? I have the opportunity to trade up towards a mantle. I was wondering if I could see if some expertise could be on this autograph if it’s authentic or not.. The signature seems to be linear and the pictures age I would put it in about 25 to 30 years ago the sharpie seems clean with no extra stopping points or loops.

10-16-2022, 01:33 PM	#2
oplum29 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 10,405	why not just buy a legit Mantle autograph on eBay and take away that insecurity of not knowing for sure if the autograph is legit or not? __________________ "got em, got em, need em, got em, got em, need em, got em" - Little Monsters

10-16-2022, 01:34 PM	#3
awz50 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: New Hampshire>>>Arizona>>>>Florida Posts: 33,362 awz50	Well I can tell you it's no good __________________ Collecting Baseball Hof Autographs 248/351 Blowouts Official Red Sox face of the franchise Eduardo Rodriguez Super Collector

10-16-2022, 02:12 PM	#5
VinnyH Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 10,202 vjweb VinnyH	Unfortunately there are thousands of decent looking fakes out there. You almost have to assume it is bad until you get multiple yes answers from veteran collectors at Net54 or get it authenticated for $$ by PSA or JSA. Vinny __________________ I admit, I like collectibles for the action. Buying, selling, prospecting, gambling, etc., are parts of the fun. I will say that being older than many here I just can’t justify sticker autos. Give me a nice on-card auto and I feel that little connection to the signer.

10-16-2022, 02:52 PM	#6
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 90,221 ThoseBackPages	looks fresh __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

10-16-2022, 01:35 PM	#4
hxcmilkshake Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Apopka FL Posts: 11,486 hxcmilkshake	Net54 Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

10-16-2022, 03:26 PM	#10
ReggieBush22 Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,604 lionpride	Does it come with a respected COA? If not, 99% likely fake. Just spend the right $$ and get a legit one. UDA is best bang for your buck.

10-16-2022, 04:09 PM	#15
mikejones Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: fresno Posts: 5,078	There was a documentary about some people who forged mantle balls and pictures. There were thousands of them. Can't seem to find it or remember who was in it. Anyone know? This might be it. I can't find the video on YouTube anymore. https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ullpen-forger/ __________________ Why the hell are you buying Siemian stuff. Dude is done, can't you tell I'm trying to get rid of him because he'll never be our starting QB again.... Last edited by mikejones; 10-16-2022 at 04:13 PM.

10-16-2022, 08:37 PM	#17
csmtampa Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,271	They didn't get this in person This is a forgery style that's been around since the mid 90's and continues to be pumped out by the thousands

10-16-2022, 09:24 PM	#19
jayjones82 Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: GA to Germany to TX Posts: 3,468	The curving in the M’s doesn’t look fluid; looks like someone slowed or stopped a few times. __________________ Always looking at Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, Jr, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones (and most other Braves - but never Tom Glavine), vintage stars, Joe Montana (49er's jersey), Larry Bird, and Pete Maravich

10-16-2022, 09:48 PM	#20
PuddleMonkey Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4,222	looks fake to me

10-17-2022, 06:48 AM	#21
Brewersfan74 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 26	With Mantle autographs most people focus on the unusual loop of his capital Ms and the loop in his y at the end of hist first name. But if I am evaluating his signature I would be looking for the loop in the a in Mantle and the loop in the k in Mickey. Those seem more important to check when attempting to authenticate a Mantle auto and a thick sharpie forgery purposefully hides these details that are more difficult to fake. I’m certainly no expert but I would have been hesitant to do a deal for this autograph based on what I have seen in other Mantle autos.

10-17-2022, 02:27 PM	#22
GMRide27 Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 705	Did he sign that this morning?

10-17-2022, 03:48 PM	#23
Silent George Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,147	I have a Mantle 8X10 that, based on what I'm seeing in this thread, I would get several, immediate, confident "fake" declarations - and I got it in person. Not to go through all of them, because I don't see the point, but letter by letter it looks proper to me. Others are saying it looks shaky. I don't see it, but we're talking about the power of my eyes and monitors, and pixelated photos here - so I'll definitely concede it could be shaky, and my eyes just can't see it on the screen. To me though, it's worth a value of the gamble of an inauthenticated Mantle. So long as in person it doesn't look printed or something. If you don't feel like you can afford one with a COA, and it's worth it to you to risk whatever he wants in trade - go for it, and then send it out to be checked. That's the real question here. What's the value of risking if thing is real? The answer is not much. He signed a billion of these. You can get one with a COA buy it now for a couple hundred dollars easy. So without COA if we're talking about you giving up a Pat Tabler auto, go for it. If it's anything more than say, $30-$40 value, or an item you'll miss - I'm probably not taking the chance. But Mantle is a legend, and a beautiful auto. Regardless of this photo, I think every good man cave should budget for the reasonably small investment to have one of those hanging on the wall.

10-17-2022, 03:49 PM	#24
Jaysabz Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Greater Philadelphia Area Posts: 4,151 jaysabz	At first glance it looks like a legit Mantle, but the more I look at it I think it may not be real. Ask the trader to have it authenticated by PSA/DNA before the trade. If they are not willing, I'd avoid the trade at all costs. __________________ Love me some Comics, JRPGs, and Philadelphia Sports! Go Eagles

10-17-2022, 05:13 PM	#25
Tails01 Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Kansas Posts: 317 Jynx142 jynx142	Based on the "Ball Four" memoir, much of the "real" Mantle sigs that exist were done by his friends anyway. __________________ I like vintage Cardinals cards.