Reminder to Those Returning to the Hobby

Clark · 01-13-2020, 07:15 PM

or those new to the hobby or anyone, is don't let your guard down.

I was just visited by the ghost of 1991. He wants his cards back.

I collected hard in the 90s but was always a hockey guy. I remember the fake Gretzky rookie cards and how to spot them. So I visited a local hobby store for their annual boxing day sale, when I spotted this beauty.

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Views: 1937
Size: 113.0 KB

Flash forward two weeks when I decided to re-home the card in a new sleeve and toploader. The card didn't feel right, it felt light with a thinner stock.

A quick search reveals fakes were huge in the 90s since the card was selling in the $100 range.

I am not well versed in these and was hoping to gain some more insight before I approach the owner. I do not believe they purposely sold me a fake. Sports cards are a small part of their business and they are a stand up business. I would say we both got taken. But it serves as a reminder to never let your guard down, and if you are returning to the hobby remember the struggle!!

Triple B · 01-13-2020, 07:34 PM

Wait until you find out about trimming cards and selling them for tens of thousands...

Clark · 01-13-2020, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple B

Wait until you find out about trimming cards and selling them for tens of thousands...

Unfortunately that's what brought me here.

MoreToppsPlease · 01-13-2020, 07:37 PM

Compare against a common ‘84 Donruss in your hand.

Clark · 01-13-2020, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreToppsPlease

Compare against a common ‘84 Donruss in your hand.

I am a hockey guy in Canada. I bought this single card and never owned a Donruss card until two weeks ago.

mchenrycards · 01-13-2020, 09:13 PM

I would suggest having another '84 Donruss card in your hand to compare before returning to the store and accusing them of selling fakes. The fakes back in '84 were terrible and even the most untrained eye could usually tell the difference when taking a closer look. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure Mattingly rookies are not high on the list for modern fakes.

Donruss also did use some thinner card stock when compared to Topps which is another item to take into consideration.

Good luck.

Americards · 01-13-2020, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchenrycards

I would suggest having another '84 Donruss card in your hand to compare before returning to the store and accusing them of selling fakes. The fakes back in '84 were terrible and even the most untrained eye could usually tell the difference when taking a closer look. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure Mattingly rookies are not high on the list for modern fakes.

Donruss also did use some thinner card stock when compared to Topps which is another item to take into consideration.

Good luck.

If They were fakes back then, then, they will still be fakes today...
Not saying they are making new fake Mattinglys today, but the old ones are still around.

mchenrycards · 01-13-2020, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americards

If They were fakes back then, then, they will still be fakes today...
Not saying they are making new fake Mattinglys today, but the old ones are still around.

Umm yeah. of course they still may be around but the likelihood that there are many of them left is reduced since they were such obvious fakes.

My point was...and maybe I should have made it more clear and not leave my comments to ambiguity......using the new technology we see now over what was used in the 80's and 90's, my feeling it is not likely that the new, modern age technology is producing many Mattingly fakes. There are bigger fish to fry but it certainly is possible.

1989FF · 01-14-2020, 09:39 AM

I used to own this book. Good resource. Lemke had a host of other great books as well.

TarjetasBéisbol · 01-14-2020, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark

I am a hockey guy in Canada. I bought this single card and never owned a Donruss card until two weeks ago.

Sounds like you still don't have any Donruss cards.

Bowman1951 · 01-14-2020, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark

Unfortunately that's what brought me here.

I wouldn't call it unfortunate. As you can see from the main Baseball section, some more trimmers were outed in the past several weeks. It likely won't end and there will be more to come.

This place has a wealth of knowledge, use it to your advantage to make informed decisions. From this thread, it already looks like you're doing a good job at learning your way around cardboard again.

SleepyWill · 01-14-2020, 09:58 AM

Wait until you hear about a very humble collector whom hit it rich with a $100,000 dollar Babe Ruth / Ty Cobb card.

Rumor has it that he's currently reviewing offers that exceed Mike Trouts BC.

Triple B · 01-14-2020, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepyWill

Wait until you hear about a very humble collector whom hit it rich with a $100,000 dollar Babe Ruth / Ty Cobb card.

Rumor has it that he's currently reviewing offers that exceed Mike Trouts BC.

It's tear stained now.

mrmem · 01-14-2020, 10:54 AM

Hi
I was a teenage collector at that time and remember Mr.Mint going heavy into investing in the 84 Donruss Mattingly which shot the price through the roof.
Counterfeits shortly materialized. I rmeember seeing a father about to buy one for his son when i mentioned to him that it was a fake. Deaer wasnt too happy.
One easy way to see the fakes is the the word "donruss" under the D logo is blurry. This is the biggest giveaway.
On te scan you have the donruss looks clear. Without seeing the actual card it
does look ok from the scan.
There were tons of thiis and Gretzky fakes as well as tons of back door Topps and Upper deck cards in the day.

hairysasquatch · 01-14-2020, 11:03 AM

OP do you happen to remember that decrepit old card shop on Adelaide St. in London? It was on a corner, always a mess, reeked of smoke, and the owner was a crook and a jerk (sold me a 71-72 OPC set with a lousy Topps Dryden RC substituted for the real thing).

Brought back memories...

smapdi · 01-14-2020, 12:58 PM

If you have a glass or loupe, look at the Donruss "d" logo. It should be solid black, and, IIRC, fakes all have dot patterns. I actually don't own any 84 Donruss, but as I recall the first few years of Donruss were slightly thinner than Fleer or Topps of that era.

dizzydolse · 01-14-2020, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

OP do you happen to remember that decrepit old card shop on Adelaide St. in London? It was on a corner, always a mess, reeked of smoke, and the owner was a crook and a jerk (sold me a 71-72 OPC set with a lousy Topps Dryden RC substituted for the real thing).

Brought back memories...

Do you know the OP personally or do you think London is in Canada?

Edit* London, Ontario!? haha

hairysasquatch · 01-14-2020, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzydolse

Do you know the OP personally or do you think London is in Canada?

Edit* London, Ontario!? haha

I may know the OP - it appears we are roughly the same age and originated in the London, Ontario area.

Edit: I looked at Google Earth and I believe the scummy old card shop was on the SE corner of Adelaide and Grey St., just south of Hamilton Rd.

chohouston · 01-14-2020, 04:28 PM

yes bunch of canuckssss!

rgc73 · 01-14-2020, 04:33 PM

Ok, so this thread and the trimming conversation makes me want to ask a question I have been wondering about. I wouldn't mind buying a 2011 BC Trout. Would you guys be comfortable with a BGS 9.5/PSA 10 that was graded in 2012 or so?

ThoseBackPages · 01-14-2020, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgc73

Ok, so this thread and the trimming conversation makes me want to ask a question I have been wondering about. I wouldn't mind buying a 2011 BC Trout. Would you guys be comfortable with a BGS 9.5/PSA 10 that was graded in 2012 or so?

does it measure up?

rgc73 · 01-14-2020, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

does it measure up?

Wish I had it in hand. Graded in '12. Needs a new holder.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

ThoseBackPages · 01-14-2020, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgc73

Wish I had it in hand. Graded in '12. Needs a new holder.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

if it was graded in 2012, should be ok

Clark · 01-15-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

OP do you happen to remember that decrepit old card shop on Adelaide St. in London? It was on a corner, always a mess, reeked of smoke, and the owner was a crook and a jerk (sold me a 71-72 OPC set with a lousy Topps Dryden RC substituted for the real thing).

Brought back memories...

No I am from an hour down the road.

Clark · 01-15-2020, 07:40 AM

I was able to get my hands on some 84 Donruss and will post my findings later today.

01-13-2020, 07:15 PM	#1
Clark Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Canuckistan, Great White North Posts: 1,009	Reminder to Those Returning to the Hobby or those new to the hobby or anyone, is don't let your guard down. I was just visited by the ghost of 1991. He wants his cards back. I collected hard in the 90s but was always a hockey guy. I remember the fake Gretzky rookie cards and how to spot them. So I visited a local hobby store for their annual boxing day sale, when I spotted this beauty. Flash forward two weeks when I decided to re-home the card in a new sleeve and toploader. The card didn't feel right, it felt light with a thinner stock. A quick search reveals fakes were huge in the 90s since the card was selling in the $100 range. I am not well versed in these and was hoping to gain some more insight before I approach the owner. I do not believe they purposely sold me a fake. Sports cards are a small part of their business and they are a stand up business. I would say we both got taken. But it serves as a reminder to never let your guard down, and if you are returning to the hobby remember the struggle!!

01-13-2020, 07:34 PM	#2
Triple B Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,276	Wait until you find out about trimming cards and selling them for tens of thousands... __________________ Wanted Dead or Alive! 1. 1997 Bowman's Best Jose Cruz, Jr Atomic Refractor Autograph 2. 1997 SPx Jose Cruz, Jr. Grand Finale /50

01-13-2020, 07:37 PM	#4
MoreToppsPlease Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 8,676	Compare against a common ‘84 Donruss in your hand. __________________ IRS Tax Tip 2022-57 A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

01-14-2020, 09:58 AM	#12
SleepyWill Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Boston Posts: 2,618 Wilstok_0	Wait until you hear about a very humble collector whom hit it rich with a $100,000 dollar Babe Ruth / Ty Cobb card. Rumor has it that he's currently reviewing offers that exceed Mike Trouts BC. __________________ Shohei Variation Chaser @Forbidden Donut on IG

01-14-2020, 11:03 AM	#15
hairysasquatch Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the Woods, Central NY Posts: 36,909	OP do you happen to remember that decrepit old card shop on Adelaide St. in London? It was on a corner, always a mess, reeked of smoke, and the owner was a crook and a jerk (sold me a 71-72 OPC set with a lousy Topps Dryden RC substituted for the real thing). Brought back memories... __________________ I am going signature-free

01-13-2020, 09:13 PM	#6
mchenrycards Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 382	I would suggest having another '84 Donruss card in your hand to compare before returning to the store and accusing them of selling fakes. The fakes back in '84 were terrible and even the most untrained eye could usually tell the difference when taking a closer look. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure Mattingly rookies are not high on the list for modern fakes. Donruss also did use some thinner card stock when compared to Topps which is another item to take into consideration. Good luck.

01-14-2020, 09:39 AM	#9
1989FF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 2,426 ryans_rust	I used to own this book. Good resource. Lemke had a host of other great books as well.

01-14-2020, 10:54 AM	#14
mrmem Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Medford, NY Posts: 372 Cardbarrel	Hi I was a teenage collector at that time and remember Mr.Mint going heavy into investing in the 84 Donruss Mattingly which shot the price through the roof. Counterfeits shortly materialized. I rmeember seeing a father about to buy one for his son when i mentioned to him that it was a fake. Deaer wasnt too happy. One easy way to see the fakes is the the word "donruss" under the D logo is blurry. This is the biggest giveaway. On te scan you have the donruss looks clear. Without seeing the actual card it does look ok from the scan. There were tons of thiis and Gretzky fakes as well as tons of back door Topps and Upper deck cards in the day.

01-14-2020, 12:58 PM	#16
smapdi Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1,768 piledriver1	If you have a glass or loupe, look at the Donruss "d" logo. It should be solid black, and, IIRC, fakes all have dot patterns. I actually don't own any 84 Donruss, but as I recall the first few years of Donruss were slightly thinner than Fleer or Topps of that era.

01-14-2020, 04:28 PM	#19
chohouston Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 157	yes bunch of canuckssss!

01-14-2020, 04:33 PM	#20
rgc73 Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 423	Ok, so this thread and the trimming conversation makes me want to ask a question I have been wondering about. I wouldn't mind buying a 2011 BC Trout. Would you guys be comfortable with a BGS 9.5/PSA 10 that was graded in 2012 or so?

01-15-2020, 07:40 AM	#25
Clark Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Canuckistan, Great White North Posts: 1,009	I was able to get my hands on some 84 Donruss and will post my findings later today.